As Brian Windorst of ESPN.com writes, the defending-champion Celtics were always going to be faced with difficult financial decisions this offseason no matter how they fared in the playoffs. But if they’re unable to dig themselves out of the 0-2 hole they find themselves in after unexpectedly blowing a pair of 20-point second-half leads, then there will be new questions about the viability of the current roster.
Nearly all of Boston’s core is under contract for multiple seasons beyond 2024/25. Veteran forward/center Al Horford is the team’s biggest free agent, and he will be 39 years old next month.
Horford does not plan to retire after ’24/25 and would like to re-sign with the Celtics, sources tell Windhorst. Whether Boston is amenable to that idea may depend on the type of contract Horford is willing to accept, since the team’s payroll (including luxury tax penalties) is projected to exceed $500MM in ’25/26, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Horford remained productive this season, averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 60 games, including 42 starts (27.7 minutes per contest). While Horford was a mid-range maestro early in his career, he has extended his range over the years — 68.1% of his field goal attempts came behind the three-point line this season, and he converted 36.3% of those long-range looks.
According to Windhorst, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and his staff have successfully been able to keep the players’ minds off the impending ownership change. The team also hasn’t discussed potential roster changes with player agents, Windhorst reports, though that obviously doesn’t mean that future moves won’t be in the cards.
Boston will face the Knicks in New York for Saturday’s pivotal Game 3.
How about come home and play for the Pistons Al Horford. I know you’re from the Lansing area but still. Not a true Michigander so he has no loyalty to the hometown team though.
KP and 2025 First to Nets for a second rounder
Then resign Horford
Celtics current team payroll $228 mm
Deduct KP salary $30 mm
My best idea – Celtics pay zero luxury tax
Nets get KP, Hauser, 2025 First and 2027 First
Celtics get a Nets future second round pick
Why in the world would you think the C’s would give up two firsts to move Hauser and KP? Neither is that damaged a good that they would need to attach two 1sts to make a deal.
Clearly not a Boston fan.
It hardly matters what happens in the playoffs. The Celtics are in the same position the Wolves were in before they traded CAT.
They have no, nothing, nothing to work with.
By current cannon they owe Tatum and Brown over 600 million thru 31.
2 people under contract now have to go in order to be a player in the game over the next 2 years.
CAT.
ok.
Vet minimum. The guy doesn’t need money.
They all need more money
Al Will sign for the min.
I think they keep the band together for next season then drop out of the 2nd apron the following when KP’s contract is up. If they do that (and stay out of the 2nd apron) I think it will unfreeze their picks and keep their picks from moving to the end of the draft. To save money this summer move Hauser. That cuts like 50 mil off the tax bill or something crazy.
Resign Horford. Pay him 5 mil a year or something. Maybe the min if he takes it.
Welcome Al Horford back! He’s playing great and we need his game & leadership!
And trust in Stevens.