Al Horford is expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. The deal includes a player option. Horford spent seven seasons with the Boston Celtics in two stints: 2016-19 and 2021-25. He was a key player in the team’s recent runs as contenders and was part of the 2024 NBA championship team.
The Celtics will face another hit to their frontcourt depth with Horford’s departure. Along with Horford, the Celtics have lost Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and Jrue Holiday in the offseason. Adding to the challenges, Jayson Tatum will be out for most of, if not all, of next season due to a torn Achilles. These losses make the Celtics look significantly different compared to their championship roster from two seasons ago.
During his time in Boston, Horford averaged 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He made one All-Star appearance with the Celtics in the 2017-18 season. Horford’s departure leaves a gap in the Celtics’ frontcourt that they’ll need to address.
With Horford gone and significant injuries and departures impacting the team, next season could be a transition year for the Celtics. It wouldn’t be surprising if the team focuses more on rebuilding or adjusting strategies for the 2026-27 season when they’ll potentially return to full strength.
The Celtics will need to beef up their frontcourt substantially considering the losses they’ve suffered. Replacing the production left behind by Horford will be a challenge. The team will have to strategize on how to manage without key players like Tatum for a significant part of the season.
This offseason has seen several key players leave the Celtics. The combination of these departures and injuries like Tatum’s torn Achilles presents a unique challenge for the team heading into the next season.
With significant changes to the roster and injuries affecting key players, the Celtics might view next season as a transition period. Focusing on the 2026-27 season when the team could be back to full strength might be a strategic approach.
