CelticsBlog exit interview: Al Horford free agent beloved teammate

“I’ve got five kids…I’ve got five kids!”

At an age when most dads with five kids might be satisfied to play weekend pickup ball in the park, saving their energy to mow the lawn later, Al Horford is still sprinting up and down NBA courts, blocking shots and nailing three-pointers against NBA youngsters half his age.

Horford, who will turn 39 on June 3, is one of the most popular players in Boston Celtics history. Jaylen Brown’s gentle teasing in that video illustrated just how much Big Al is beloved by his teammates, coaches, fans and everyone around him.

Celtics fans were instantly charmed nine years ago when Horford left Atlanta to become Boston’s most significant free agent acquisition in decades. The versatile, All-Star center cited the intense home crowd atmosphere in TD Garden as one of the main factors that attracted him. He also won hearts by announcing his decision with flair (and 18 shamrocks).

Three years later, Horford was again a free agent and was expected to stay, but instead, he shocked Celtics Nation by grabbing a lucrative contract offer from the hated Philadelphia franchise. It was a big payday, and perhaps Horford also wanted some distance after the Kyrie Irving turmoil in 2018-19.

The union with the Sixers lasted just one year because they didn’t know how to best use Big Al in their system. Philly fans turned against him, and he was traded to Oklahoma City, where his stay was brief and unhappy because the then-tanking Thunder chose not to play him. After the season, Horford was rescued by a Brad Stevens trade and returned to Boston.

Celtics fans were delighted to have the team’s O.G. back in green after a two-year absence. “Win it for Al” became a subplot in the team’s ongoing pursuit of Banner 18. When the title was finally captured last season, the entire Celtics organization and fans everywhere were thrilled to see him hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. And Horford shared his reaction in another memorable tweet (with 19 shamrocks, one more than needed, but no one complained).

That brings us to 2024-25, which obviously ended prematurely for Boston. Horford, who won back-to-back NCAA tournaments while playing for the University of Florida, missed the opportunity to add a matching set of consecutive NBA rings. That rare feat would have boosted his case for Hall of Fame induction.

Despite the disappointment with losing, Horford’s 18th NBA season was a success in many other ways. As one of the league’s oldest players, Horford rested one game every time the Celtics were scheduled on a back-to-back. Still, he played 27.7 minutes per game across 60 games and averaged 9.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Horford started 42 of those 60 games, a crucial contribution as normal stating center Kristaps Porzingis missed 40 games with various injuries and rest requirements.

One Horford negative was a drop-off in shooting percentage. Big Al made a career-low 42.6% on 7.7 field goal attempts in the regular season. He also shot 36.3% (5.2 attempts) from the arc, down after two straight seasons above 40% – although he made 114 threes, second most of his career. And Horford stepped up his shooting in the postseason, averaging 47.2 FG% and 40.0 3PT%.

Big Al’s most notable contributions, as usual, came on defense and in the team concept. His regular season offensive rating was 119.6 and defensive rating was 108.1, for a net rating of 11.5.

His top regular season performance was scoring a game-high 26 points while making six of 13 threes off the bench in leading a win over Memphis.

Another achievement came in Game 4 of the playoff series versus Orlando, when Horford matched a performance by one of the NBA’s all-time greatest centers.

Big Al’s highlight reel from the season provides more evidence of how he impacts the game in all facets – especially when blocking shots.

Unfortunately, Horford’s future in Boston is now uncertain as his $9.5 million contract is expiring and he is a free agent. The Celtics would dearly miss his leadership if they lose him. Payton Pritchard explained: “You can’t replace Al. So, I definitely hope we get that figured out. Because his locker room presence alone is just crucial, and then having him on the court. For all the young guys, just to see how he goes about his business, how professional he is. He’s just a leader.”

Any offer for Horford to stay surely will be for less money in light of the team’s payroll situation. One would hope that his negative experience away from TD Garden proved that the proverbial grass is not always greener elsewhere. Nevertheless, if another team makes a better offer, Horford might choose to finish his career with one more nice payday that Brad and new owner Bill Chisholm wouldn’t match due to second apron tax penalties.

Horford’s decision could even be affected by Jayson Tatum’s injury and whether or not the Celtics still have enough to contend for a title.

Finally, retirement also remains a possibility. The fans hope that doesn’t happen, but if it does, Horford might look for a new career. Perhaps he could run for president in his native Dominican Republic. He’d win in a landslide.