Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens indicated that Al Horford‘s return to the Celtics next season appears improbable. Stevens revealed on Tuesday that while the team made offers to both Horford and Luke Kornet, bringing Horford back remains unlikely at this stage, although no final decisions have been made.
We’ve made offers to both Luke [Kornet] and Al. We would love to have had both of them back. I’d say that’s unlikely… but I don’t want to speak in absolute terms until an ultimate decision is made,
Stevens said — Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics General Manager
Roster Changes Following the Championship Season
The Celtics have recently undergone significant roster changes, trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, two notable contributors from their 2024 championship team. Stevens explained that these trades were primarily motivated by financial considerations linked to the NBA’s luxury tax system and salary cap restrictions.
The second apron is why those trades happened. I think that those are pretty obvious. And the basketball penalties associated with those are real,
Stevens said — Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics General Manager
Horford’s Role and Legacy with the Celtics
At 39 years old, Horford recently entered free agency after completing a two-year, $19.5 million contract with the Celtics. He has been a key starting center for Boston during two separate stretches, initially from 2016 to 2019, then returning for the past four seasons. Stevens praised Horford’s contributions both on and off the court.
Another guy that, if he were to go and play somewhere else, I think is an all-time Celtic,
Stevens stated.
A winner, and did everything he could for this organization, not only from the games but also how he impacted our younger players.
— Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics General Manager
Looking Ahead to Celtics’ Frontcourt Without Horford or Porziņģis
With the departures of Porziņģis and the potential absence of Horford, Stevens highlighted emerging players like Luca Garza and Xavier Tillman as possible contributors to the team’s frontcourt. He acknowledged that, based on their careers so far, this group might not be regarded as the strongest position on paper but insisted they have the opportunity to prove their value.
That will not be the group that people will single out, based on paper, on what they’ve done with their careers thus far, as our strongest position. But it’s up to them to prove otherwise,
Stevens said — Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics General Manager
Financial Strategy Behind Recent Trades
Trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and draft picks reportedly saved the Celtics approximately $40 million in luxury tax payments. Additionally, the three-team trade sending Porziņģis to the Atlanta Hawks reduced the team’s penalties by around $140 million, helping Boston fall below the NBA’s second apron salary threshold.
Stevens emphasized that the team‘s priority was to get below the second apron for salary management rather than avoid the luxury tax entirely.
Team Outlook Amid Roster Reconfiguration and Injuries
Despite significant offseason changes and the potential absence of star Jayson Tatum, who is recovering from an Achilles injury, Stevens avoided using terms such as “rebuild” to describe the Celtics’ current phase. He pointed out that although the team is undergoing some retooling, many talented players remain on the roster.
Without question, when you trade guys like Jrue and KP, there’s some retooling going on… for this group, we’ve got so many guys back that are really good players, that’s not going to be part of the lexicon in our building,
Stevens remarked — Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics General Manager
When discussing expectations for the Celtics’ return to title contention, Stevens declined to set limits, noting the team’s tradition of embracing challenges and maintaining a competitive mindset. He expressed optimism about players like Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard, highlighting their potential to fight doubters.
The last time Jaylen Brown was on a team that was doubted was a long time ago. The last time that Payton Pritchard has been on a team that was doubted, he probably hasn’t been yet… I’m excited to see what this team has in store,
Stevens said — Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics General Manager
Free Agency and Horford’s Potential Next Destination
As Boston adjusts its roster and salary commitments, the Celtics face limitations imposed by the NBA’s second salary cap apron, prompting Al Horford to explore opportunities elsewhere in free agency. He has been reportedly linked to teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers, indicating interest from multiple contenders in acquiring a veteran center.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Al Horford a 5 star recruit?
A. Rivals.com rated Horford as a four-star recruit, ranking him as the seventh-best power forward and the 36th top player in the country in 2004.