If the Boston Celtics end up losing Al Horford in free agency next month, it may have more to do with the makeup of their team than it does with money.
Horford informed the Celtics this week that he will not opt into the final season and $30.1 million left on his contract. The initial belief was that he planned to return to Boston on a more team-friendly deal, but a more recent report claimed he plans to leave. According to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan, the Celtics have made Horford a respectable four-year offer to re-sign with them.
Jackie Macmullan on Al Horford:
"I think the #Celtics made Horford a good offer. I can't tell you what it is was. I do think they made him a 4 year offer that was a pretty healthy one"
(via Hoop Collective Podcast)
— OMF (@OMFonWEEI) June 21, 2019
All signs point to Kyrie Irving leaving Boston, and Horford is 33 and in search of his first championship. The Celtics may have to rebuild around Jayson Tatum now that their long-term plan of Irving signing a max deal with them appears unlikely to work out, so a parting of ways seems to make sense for both Horford and the team.
That said, Celtics GM Danny Ainge always has something up his sleeve. If Horford does decide to return, Ainge could still pursue a trade or another big free agent signing to keep Boston competitive in the Eastern Conference. The latest we have heard about Irving indicates he has already made up his mind, but perhaps Ainge can convince Horford that he has a solid backup plan.
