Al Horford stood in limbo for almost all of the NBA offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Ultimately, the longtime Boston Celtics standout made a troublesome choice to signal elsewhere. He agreed in late September to a two-year cope with the Golden State Warriors, ending his second stint in Boston, the place he received the primary championship of his profession. The choice was twofold, stated Horford, who indicated that he and the Celtics had completely different priorities for the 2025-26 season.
This late in Horford’s profession, alternatives so as to add one other championship ring are dwindling. He already reached the mountaintop with the Celtics, however with Jayson Tatum set to overlook no less than the bulk, if not all, of the upcoming marketing campaign with a torn Achilles tendon, Horford’s greatest probability of profitable one other title is probably not in Boston.
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“There was two issues there,” Horford, 39, stated to The Athletic. “I believe the monetary half was a element, however greater than that, it was the profitable a part of it, making an attempt to contend for a championship. And I believe there was quite a lot of issues up within the air — and it simply felt like they weren’t in that very same imaginative and prescient, clearly, as a result of JT getting damage, that takes a giant toll. Up till then I used to be staying in Boston the entire time.”
The Celtics have been in a tough spot financially this offseason due to the second apron. They traded Kristaps Porziņġis and Jrue Vacation in salary-shedding strikes and watched as key reserve Luke Kornet walked in free company. The expertise exodus was in some ways a necessity.
Due to these departures and Tatum’s potential to overlook the complete season, the Celtics challenge to take a step backward from their perennial spot within the Japanese Convention’s higher echelon.
“I believe as soon as that offseason occurred and it began to progress, it grew to become clear to me the workforce had completely different priorities,” Horford stated. “Clearly, eliminating Jrue, eliminating Kristaps. And I do know it is all wage stuff, however it was like a domino impact, and it was powerful for me.”
Horford’s exit is one other blow to the Celtics, whose frontcourt grew to become thinner with every departure. He left a legacy throughout two stints with the franchise as an integral a part of the 2024 championship run and one of many NBA’s prime defenders on an annual foundation. He remained extremely distinguished within the Celtics’ lineup even at age 38.
Golden State is, on paper, a terrific touchdown spot for Horford. He was every part the Celtics wanted him to be, and he ought to match simply as properly with the Warriors due to his defensive versatility and skill to step outdoors the 3-point line on the opposite finish of the ground.
