Al Horford's exit from Celtics all but confirmed
Veteran center Al Horford has been a calming presence within the Boston Celtics' locker room for nearly half of his 18-year career. However, the C's might not be able to rely on him for much longer.
The 39-year-old is currently an unrestricted free agent and has reportedly grown very friendly with the Golden State Warriors this summer. Although no deal has been confirmed yet, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel said that Horford (as well as free-agent guard De'Anthony Melton) recently reached a verbal agreement with the Dubs.
'Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton are widely expected to sign with the Warriors,' Siegel wrote. 'A handful of teams at NBA Summer League stated Horford and Melton already have verbal agreements in place with Golden State.'
Horford leaving Beantown shouldn't be a complete shock as Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens even admitted that bringing him back was going to be difficult.
'I'd say that's unlikely,' Stevens replied when asked about Horford returning during a press conference in early July. 'But I don't want to speak in absolute terms until an ultimate decision is made.
'If he were to go and play somewhere else, I think he's an all-time Celtic, a winner, and did everything he could for this organization, not only in the games but also how he impacted our younger players.'
As a result of the new CBA and its stringent financial penalties, Boston probably can't afford Horford. While the five-time All-Star is far from his prime and nearing retirement — which he's reportedly considered this offseason — he'll command over the vet minimum at the very least.
The Celtics already failed to re-sign backup center Luke Kornet this summer as a result of money woes, meaning Horford's departure is all the more likely.
But if anything is working in Boston's favor, it's the fact that restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is holding things up for the Warriors. Before Golden State can finalize a deal with Horford, it may have to decide what to do with its 22-year-old wing, who's surely looking for a payday.
In addition to the Kuminga debacle, Horford's shocking free-agency decision nearly a decade ago could provide Celtics fans with a tad of optimism. Back in 2016, the former Atlanta Hawk surprisingly chose the C's over his old team, even duping legendary NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
Another dramatic turnaround isn't out of the question given the volatile nature of free agency, yet as things stand, it seems like Horford won't don the green and white again.
Related: Exec makes Celtics playoff guarantee amid harsh Jayson Tatum, second-apron realities
Related: NBA rumors: Why Celtics, Grizzlies trade talks fizzled out
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
5 minutes ago
- New York Post
The crazy list of prospects — and eventual stars — Padres GM A.J. Preller has traded
The Padres were one of the most aggressive buyers in the 2025 MLB trade deadline. They added seven MLB players to their roster Thursday, including star reliever Mason Miller and slugging lefty Ryan O'Hearn. 10 Padres GM A.J Preller. USA TODAY Sports But to get names like those, the Padres had to give away players from their farm system — something the team hasn't been shy about over the past few years. Here is a list of some of the prospects that general manager A.J. Preller traded away in his tenure as Padres general manager. Leo De Vries 10 Leo De Vries at the All-Star Future Game Getty Images The crown jewel in the trade with the A's for Miller and starter J.P. Sears was the highest-ranked prospect traded at the deadline. According to Pipeline, De Vries — shortstop — ranks as the third-best prospect in the league. In High-A ball, De Vries has a slash line of .245/.354/.408. He is also a switch-hitter and is regarded as a good fielder and baserunner. He is only 18 years old, so there is still a lot more time to develop before his arrival in the big leagues. Trea Turner 10 Trea Turner of the Philadelphia Phillies high-fives teammates in the dugout after a run in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox. Getty Images Turner was involved in a three-team trade in 2014 that sent him to the Nationals for 2013 American League Rookie of the Year Wil Myers. At the time of the trade, Turner was the fifth-best prospect in San Diego. Today, Turner is a three-time All-Star playing in Philadelphia. He helped the Nationals win the World Series in 2019. James Wood 10 Washington Nationals James Wood after striking out. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect James Wood was the lowest-ranked piece in the trade deadline deal for Juan Soto in 2022. But it turns out that rankings don't always mean everything. At just 22, Wood is now arguably one of the best players on the Nationals today and was selected as an All-Star this year. He has 24 homers and 71 RBIs entering Friday. MacKenzie Gore 10 Washington Nationals pitcher MacKenzie Gore AP Gore was also a part of the Soto trade in 2022. This year, with the Nationals, he has the seventh-most strikeouts in MLB with 148. He also holds an ERA of 3.80 that earned him his first All-Star nod this year. CJ Abrams 10 Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams walking off the field after striking out. AP Another piece acquired in the Soto deal, Abrams has become the everyday shortstop for the Nationals. He was an All-Star in 2024, and this season he has a .275 average, 14 home runs, and an .817 OPS. Max Fried 10 New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Fried was traded to the Braves in 2014 for Justin Upton. At the time, Fried was a top-50 prospect in MLB, but was recovering from Tommy John surgery. Today, the three-time All-Star is pitching with the Yankees and is a likely Cy Young candidate. Before wearing the pinstripes, Fried was a two-time All-Star and a World Series winner in 2021 with the Braves. Andres Munoz 10 Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andres Munoz on the mound. AP Munoz was part of a trade that sent Austin Adams, Dan Altavilla and Austin Nola to San Diego from Seattle. Today, Munoz is considered one of the best closers in the league. The two-time All-Star with an ERA of 1.32 and 24 saves. Emmanuel Clase 10 Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase Denny Medley-Imagn Images In 2018, the Padres made a small trade with the Rangers to receive Brett Nicholas for Emmanuel Clase, who is on non-disciplinary paid leave by MLB as part of a gambling investigation. Before this, though, Clase has been one of the best relievers in the game. He was an All-Star from 2022 to 2024, and in each of those years, he was the leader in saves in the American League. Josh Naylor 10 Josh Naylor AP Naylor — along with pitcher Luis Castillo — was acquired from the Marlins in 2016 for Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea. However, Castillo was just a Padre for two days as an injury to Rea forced him back to the Marlins. Naylor, however, was traded away to the Guardians in 2020 for Mike Clevinger and Greg Allen. Naylor was an All-Star in 2024 and was traded to the Mariners by the Diamondbacks before the 2025 trade deadline.
USA Today
5 minutes ago
- USA Today
Colorado's Jordan Seaton named to prestigious Outland Trophy watchlist
Colorado Buffaloes star left tackle Jordan Seaton was named to the Outland Trophy watchlist, given to the best interior lineman in college football. Seaton joins a list of 50 returning linemen to make the preseason watchlist. He is one of 16 offensive tackles and 10 players from the Big 12 to be named to the watchlist. There are also 15 guards and 10 defensive tackles named to the list. As a freshman All-American last season, Seaton enters 2025 as one of the Buffs' best players and a leader. He was also an honorable mention All-Big 12 and the honorable mention Big 12 Freshman of the Year by the coaches. In 2024, Seaton became the first true freshman to start a season opener at tackle in program history and went on to start all 13 games. He allowed three sacks on 611 pass plays and did not allow a sack in 11 of Colorado's 13 games. The Outland Trophy, presented by the Football Writers Association of America, will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
New York Post
5 minutes ago
- New York Post
Anthony Davis selling palatial LA mansion for nearly $40 million after controversial trade
For those with $40 million to spare, you too can now live like an NBA All-Star. Mavericks center Anthony Davis has put his eight-bedroom Los Angeles mansion on the market for $39.9 million following his in-season trade from the Lakers, according to TMZ. Davis, 32, landed in Dallas in February after Los Angeles included him in the shocking Luka Doncic trade. 8 Anthony Davis has put his palatial LA mansion on the market. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post 8 The stunning estate is listed at $39.9 million. Jeff Elson 8 The home boasts eight bedrooms. Jeff Elson The palatial 17,254-square-foot estate is located in a gated Bel Air Crest community and has an extensive list of amenities. The home features an elevator, game room, home gym, barber shop, lounge, theater, wet bar, wine cellar, tennis court, Olympic-sized pool, outdoor kitchen and even a batting cage, per TMZ. The residence is also said to include a wellness center that boasts a plunge tub and sauna. The property even includes a next-level children's playhouse with its own heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, according to the outlet. 8 A movie theater is among the property's many amenities. Jeff Elson 8 The home is situated within a gated community. Jeff Elson 8 The residence boasts panoramic views. Jeff Elson The luxurious property is listed by Jordan Cohen of Remax. Davis did not expect to leave Los Angeles, but Texas is now his new professional home. The 10-time All-Star is under contract with the Mavericks for two more seasons and has a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season before he becomes a free agent. 8 An exterior look at the property. Jeff Elson 8 Anthony Davis was traded to the Mavericks by the Lakers in February 2025 in an NBA shocker. Noah K. Murray-NY Post Davis' 2024-25 season saw him limited to 51 games due to injuries, including just nine with the Mavericks following the controversial trade. He averaged 24.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. The Mavericks are hoping a healthy Davis and No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg can help erase some of the fans' ill feelings toward the Doncic maneuver and help return the franchise to contender status. Davis underwent offseason surgery for a detached retina in his right eye that ailed him during the regular season. He is expected to be ready for training camp, per ESPN. He posted a cryptic emoji-only message to his Instagram Story Thursday, featuring just a sighing emoji and praying hands.
