Celtics’ Al Horford Reportedly Receiving Interest From Four Teams, ‘Not In Any Hurry’ To Make Decision

While the Boston Celtics continue to rework their roster for salary cap reasons this summer, the expectation was that free agent center Al Horford was planning to sign this month with the Golden State Warriors, but it hasn’t happened.

After playing the last seven seasons with the Celtics, there are reportedly three teams hoping to sign Horford, who might be done with basketball altogether.

“Golden State obviously expected him to sign last week, [but] he didn’t. Lakers, Milwaukee, Atlanta, I believe, are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table,” ESPN NBA insider Marc Spears said Monday. “He’s still considering retiring and is not in any hurry. He’s got a sixth kid coming on the way and lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. I’m hearing whether it’s Golden State or, to a lesser extent, the Lakers, being away from his family that far isn’t going to be in that decision.

“Keep in mind, you know who I think could be in this decision? His 10-year-old son Ian. He just started traveling on the road with Al two seasons ago. Kid loves basketball. … I could see Ian convincing his dad to keep playing.”

The Warriors finished 48-34 last season. They won their first-round postseason matchup against the Houston Rockets before falling in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round with Steph Curry out due to injury.

Over 60 regular-season games last season, Horford averaged nine points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists, and would be a welcome veteran addition to the Warriors front line with ample postseason experience.

Curry was asked about the possible Horford signing last week.

“He’s a champion, great player,” Curry said of Horford, via The Athletic. “If, when all that stuff happens, I’ll talk about it.”