Although everything is a thing of the past, considering that Al Horford already signed to play with the Golden State Warriors the next two seasonsthe veteran center recently revealed more details about his decision to leave the team and the city he called home for seven years: the Boston Celtics.
In fact, Horford never wanted to play anywhere else that wasn’t Beantown and for the Celtics, a team he helped lead to the top of the NBA in 2024.
However, the Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tendon rupture and subsequent moves made it clear to Horford the direction the team would take. And at 39 years old, he knew the opportunity to compete for another title wouldn’t be there with the Celtics.
The Celtics couldn’t offer him what he wanted.
Horford felt comfortable in Boston and believed he had everything he needed and wanted there. He had a defined role and numerous young players who could help carry the load. But when Tatum suffered a devastating injury in the postseason, it became clear that the team was in flux. With his own career coming to an end, Horford knew he needed to find a new home where he could continue competing at the highest level.
“I think where Boston was as a team, even though I considered them my home and they had everything I needed, they just weren’t in a position to give me the opportunity I wanted,” Horford said in a conversation with The Athletic.
While his averages from last season (9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists) aren’t exactly superstar-level, much of what Horford does for any team he plays for isn’t necessarily reflected in the statistics. Whether it’s setting solid blocks, defending steadfastly or making the right pass at the right time, Horford’s veteran leadership and high level of basketball have been invaluable to his team’s success.
Unfortunately, the Celtics did not have the financial resources to offer Horford more than the veteran minimum; That was one of the reasons why he decided to leave.
The second, and most important, factor was the team’s ability to compete for championships. With Tatum unlikely to play this season, the Celtics are left with a team led by All-Star Jaylen Brown, guard Derrick White and tenacious point guard Payton Pritchard, a group that could hardly be considered a champion.
