After returning to the Celtics for a second stint in 2021, Al Horford seemed like he was on track to spend the rest of his NBA playing career in Boston. However, at age 39, the veteran big man decided this summer to leave the Celtics because “they just weren’t in a position to offer me the opportunity that I wanted,” he explained to Nick Friedell of The Athletic.
After winning a title in 2023/24 and racking up 61 more regular season wins in ’24/25, the Celtics are expected to take step backward in ’25/26 as a result of Jayson Tatum‘s postseason Achilles tear, as well as financially motivated offseason trades involving Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Due to its desire to shed salary, the club also wasn’t in position to offer free agents like Luke Kornet and Horford the kind of contracts they’d earned.
“There was two things there,” Horford said. “I think the financial part was a component, but more than that, it was the winning part of it, trying to contend for a championship. And I think there was a lot of things up in the air — and it just felt like they weren’t in the same, that same vision, obviously, because JT getting hurt, that takes a big toll. So I think at that point I really had to — up until then I was staying in Boston the whole time.
“… I think once that offseason happened and it started to progress, it became clear to me the team had different priorities. Obviously, getting rid of Jrue, getting rid of Kristaps. And I know it’s all salary stuff, but it was like a domino effect, and it was tough for me. It was a tough decision, but my wife and I, we prayed about it. I knew that it had to be something that was gonna be — that my family had to be on board with me for us to proceed in something like this. And that was it.”
Horford ended up signing with the Warriors on a two-year contract worth the full taxpayer mid-level exception that includes a second-year player option and a 15% trade kicker.
While the deal didn’t officially get done until October 1 due to Golden State’s desire to resolve Jonathan Kuminga‘s restricted free agency before hard-capping itself at the second tax apron, Horford knew much earlier in the summer that he’d become a Warrior. He tells Friedell that recruiting pitches from Stephen Curry and Draymond Green played a role in his decision.
“Yeah, I had communication with them, with Steph and Draymond,” Horford said. “And that was important. It happened very fast because it was at a point where they came to me and they’re like, ‘Hey, we’d love to have you,’ and all these things. And it was one of these things that, for me, looking at this fit and the potential, it just felt right. So them reaching out to me was important.”
Given the fact that his new contract includes a second year, Horford may still have multiple seasons left in the NBA. Still, his hope for now is that he’s able to finish his career in Golden State.
“I think at this point in my career, where I see everything, that is my expectation, just to be here,” he said.
Al Horford is hungry and fired up to win a chip at age 39, as it should be! Love to see this. That 56 win prediction looks like it could be low if everyone stays healthy. Imagine if all the 35+ year old guys play 65+ games? GSW gunna steamroll this league and we will finally get the WCF we deserved last year: GSW v OKC.
We cannot have two dynasties at once, only one dynasty can occur at a time and its best to have the one trying to start theirs directly face the one who has owned the entire league for the last 10 years! Not enough being talked about how good Curry was last year in the playoffs, he was running through everyone and only OKC was going to stand in his way. We did not get that. Instead we got a weak, phony challenger instead of the GOAT Curry and GSW. This might happen for real this year and I am going to watch every Curry active game!
But how are they gonna win all those games with Kerr? You think they’ll do it in spite of him?
Steph has won literally every game in spite of Kerr so far!
one thing that made Halford go to teh warriors is Kerr doesn’t over play his older players. Curry and Green do not play heavy minutes. Halford can see a few coaches lean to heavy on their players and over play them.
Horford put his Boston house on the market May 23, 2024 says all you need to know about his intentions.
Or maybe the Celtics FO made their intentions known and he wanted to get an early start.
Boston beat the Knicks in a playoff game after Tatum went down. Horford played 24 minutes that game and Porzingis played 12. Celtics will be in the playoffs again and depending on how the recovery and rehab goes, may have Tatum available for the postseason at some point.
Just say you wanted the money Big Al, it’s perfectly justifiable.
It’s not like he went to Utah.
Of course, Al wants the money. He got his ring now time for the larger check. He doesn’t have much time left to play at a somewhat high level.
Dubs as currently constructed are better than Celtics as currently constructed. Oddsmakers: +2200 v +3000 to win title. So maybe he also wanted to win more!