Celtics Reportedly Preparing to Lose Both Kyrie Irving and Al Horford in Free Agency
By Michael Luciano
After years of being one of the models of consistency, hard work, and success in the NBA, things are quickly crumbling around Brad Stevens, Danny Ainge, and the Boston Celtics.
With an avalanche of reports hinting that Kyrie Irving is ready to bolt Boston, likely for the Brooklyn Nets, veteran big man Al Horford has also opted out of his deal. While Horford was expected to sign a three-year deal with the Celtics, the latest rumblings claim Horford is ready to leave for a four-year deal elsewhere.
The Boston Celtics are preparing for strong scenario that All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Al Horford will leave as free agents, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2019
While Kyrie was expected, Horford comes as a bit of a surprise. Apparently, Horford and the Celtics were just too far apart with regards to what they believe he should make next season.
Boston and Al Horford had discussed contract scenarios, but the gulf is too great for sides to believe they can close on a new deal now, league sources tell ESPN. Horford is prepared to enter the free agency to find a three or four year deal elsewhere.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2019
After serving as the Atlanta Hawks' franchise player for a decade, the 2007 No. 3 overall pick left Atlanta for Boston, signing a four-year, $113 million deal with that player option for 2019 that he declined.
While signing an unathletic big man who is 33 sounds risky, Horford has plenty of good basketball left in him, having averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last year.
Hi, hello, yes, here’s Al Horford defending Embiid in the post, pushing the ball himself, not falling for trying to take Embiid one on one, forcing the switching posting Belinelli into oblivion, and then destroying him. pic.twitter.com/yFOEWprmXd
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 1, 2018
With Horford and Irving likely headed elsewhere, the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown-led Celtics will look much different than that team which made the Eastern Conference Finals just a year ago.