Brad Stevens says Al Horford is unlikely to return to Celtics

Veteran center Al Horford is one of the bigger names still on the board in NBA free agency this summer, and his future remains unclear with July more than a week old.

One option that appears unlikely for the big man is a return to the Boston Celtics, according to team executive Brad Stevens.

It appears this is the end of an era for Horford and the Celtics, who had a strong partnership across two stints. They were able to win an NBA championship together in the 2023-24 season.

Horford’s first stint with the Celtics began when he joined the team in the 2016 offseason. From there, he spent three seasons with Boston and earned one All-Star nod but wasn’t able to win a ring with the team.

He then spent some time with the Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder before a trade brought him back to the Celtics in the 2021 offseason. That marked the beginning of his second stint with the team, which has lasted for the past four seasons.

The highlight of his second stint with Boston came when the team captured the 2024 NBA title, a run in which Horford played an important role for the team and was a frequent starter in the playoffs. The title gave Horford his first championship in the NBA.

But after seven combined seasons and two stints with Boston, it appears that a new chapter awaits for the five-time All-Star. At 39 years old, he is said to be considering retirement, but if he remains in the league, teams like the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to him.

The Warriors may be a more realistic option now that the Lakers have already invested a fair amount in their center situation this offseason. If he were to join Golden State, he’d have a chance to compete for another ring with a Warriors team that is trying to remain relevant in the title race for as long as possible during the Stephen Curry era.

Horford’s decision on his future will be worth monitoring as the offseason continues.