Free agent Al Horford unlikely to return to Celtics: ‘he’s gone’ originally appeared on The Sporting News
Al Horford was a huge factor behind the Boston Celtics’ success in recent years. The 39-year-old center’s defensive and perimeter shooting ability helped get the Celtics a championship in 2024.
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The veteran was set to enter free agency this summer after spending the past four seasons with the Celtics, and it appears Horford’s run in Boston has ended.
As the Celtics work to ease the financial crunch that pushed them over the NBA’s second apron salary cap threshold, several players from last season’s roster will not return for the 2025-26 season.
Boston’s already traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks, and watched Luke Kornet sign with the San Antonio Spurs in free agency. Reports indicate that Al Horford will be on the move as well.
Brian Robb of MassLivereported on the situation, saying, “The strong belief around the league is that he’s (Horford) gone, something Brad Stevens openly admitted to last month. The Celtics are likely only offering him the veteran’s minimum and he can get far more elsewhere along with a better chance of winning another title this season.”
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Sources around the league have said that Al Horford has already reached a verbal agreement with the Golden State Warriors, but their ongoing negotiations with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga have put Horford’s deal on hold until it gets figured out.
As for the Celtics, they will look to rebuild a roster that will look strangely different next season. Boston’s front court will need some repairing, but they will look to healthy players like Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, and Derrick White to take on the heavy workload this season as Jayson Tatum recovers from Achilles surgery.