The Boston Celtics are reshaping their roster ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, and there is a chance they could lose another key member of their championship team from two years ago.
The Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday and then dealt Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks the following day. Neither trade was a shock with Boston looking to clear salary this summer, but it would be slightly more surprising if they chose not to bring back Al Horford.
Horford is set to become a free agent, and it is not a lock that the Celtics will re-sign him. During a Wednesday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Horford has “a pretty robust free agency market” outside of Boston.
"There's an uncertainty around Boston right now with Jayson Tatum potentially missing all of next season..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 25, 2025
I am told Al Horford has a pretty robust free agent market outside of Boston" ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/q6sRoUQklm pic.twitter.com/tv5cIoSpfM
Horford turned 39 earlier this month, so he is well past his prime. He is a respected leader who remained productive this past season, however, and he likely will not command a huge salary.
Horford, a five-time All-Star, averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game for Boston this season. He can also hit the occasional three-pointer and has made 37.7 percent of his career attempts from beyond the arc.
Championship contenders that need a low-post defender who can fight for rebounds should have interest in a player like Horford, who has already been linked to one top Eastern Conference team.
The Celtics are trying to avoid a massive luxury tax bill. They will be without Jayson Tatum for much of next season after he suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs, which is also a factor in why they are making significant roster moves.
If multiple teams show interest in Horford, Boston is unlikely to get into a bidding war for the veteran big man.
