While the Boston Celtics suffered a disappointing playoff elimination, Al Horford had another season of solid contributions. At 38 years old, Horford has continued to play well for a contending Boston team, winning a championship with them in 2024 after starting at center for most of their playoff run. Due to his seniority and general admiration from the organization and fan base, many expect Al Horford to finish his career as a Celtic. But ESPN’s Tim Bontemps thinks differently, citing that Horford is set to be a free agent this offseason and could potentially join the New York Knicks.
Knicks Targeting Al Horford
Bontemps was quoted as saying, “Al Horford is a free agent. I don’t think at this point, it makes a lot of sense for Horford to be back in Boston. Maybe he will be, but given where things are with the Celtics, I think he’s now much more in play than he might have been a month ago…Horford is a longtime friend of Karl-Anthony Towns and has played with him with the Dominican National team for a long time.”
It was previously reported that Al Horford would return for the 2025-26 NBA season, but as Bontemps points out, he will be a free agent, and Boston’s salary situation is not the best. Currently, the Celtics are expected to be over the second apron, meaning they would have to pay significantly more money to keep their expensive roster together. So, they will likely be sellers this offseason to try to avoid further salary problems.
Bontemps also mentioned Al Horford’s relationship with Karl-Anthony Towns, which is another intriguing aspect. Towns and Horford are close from their time on the Dominican National team, but does that mean Horford would sign with the Knicks? New York already has two great centers in Towns and Mitchell Robinson. But Horford and Towns have both played power forward in the past and could do so again. Getting a big man other than Robinson who can switch and defend would be beneficial and help negate Towns’ defensive struggles.
Leaving the Boston Celtics
For Celtics fans, the idea of Al Horford leaving sounds unrealistic at this stage in his career, but it has happened before. In 2019, Horford left Boston in free agency, signing a four-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers are one of Boston’s biggest rivals, especially at the time, when both teams were on the rise towards title contention. This put him in ill will with the fanbase before his return in 2022. Many thought Horford was nearing the end of his career as he struggled in Philadelphia and was sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he rarely played. But when he came back to the Celtics, he turned back the clock.
Final Thoughts
Since returning to Boston, Al Horford has had a resurgence. While the box scores may not show it, he has made an impact on the court and in the locker room. As a veteran leader, he plays a significant role in the team culture that led the Celtics to a championship in 2024. And while he may not play 70 games a season at an elite level, he will show up when the team needs him.
Horford makes $9.5 million this season before hitting free agency. At his age, he may not want a large contract, which could help the Celtics, but a team like the Knicks may be willing to pay him while Boston is cutting costs. Bontemps’ report on Al Horford going to a team like the Knicks after they eliminated the Celtics from the playoffs is an interesting one. Horford is beloved in Boston, but with their current cap situation, resigning him is not a guarantee.
