In a surprising development, Al Horford is expected to leave the Celtics to sign with a new team in free agency, as we relayed on Tuesday night. As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski explains in his story on the situation, the gap between what Boston was willing to offer and what Horford is seeking on a long-term deal was too significant to bridge. The Celtics and Horford’s agent Jason Glushon aren’t expected to re-open talks, Woj adds.
According to Marc Stein of The New York Times (via Twitter), there’s a belief in front office circles that Horford knows there will be a four-year offer worth $100MM+ waiting for him in free agency, which led to talks with the Celtics breaking down.
It will be fascinating to see if that sort of lucrative offer is actually on the table for a 33-year-old who battled nagging injuries last season. According to A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston (via Twitter), a league source says the Nets are a team to keep a close eye on, given their cap room and Horford’s connection to head coach Kenny Atkinson.
However, Kyrie Irving is believed to be headed to Brooklyn as a free agent, and Jeff Goodman of Stadium tweets that he would be “beyond surprised” if Horford teams up with Irving again after a disappointing season in Boston.
Here are a few more notes and rumors on 2019 free agency:
- While the Nets would love to pair Kevin Durant with Kyrie Irving in free agency, they have fallback options if they can’t land Durant, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. According to Lewis, it’s worth keeping an eye on unrestricted free agent Tobias Harris, restricted free agent Kristaps Porzingis, and trade candidate Danilo Gallinari as possible fits for Brooklyn.
- John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 identifies another free agent point guard target for the Suns, adding Ricky Rubio‘s name to a list that already included Darren Collison, Cory Joseph, and Patrick Beverley, among others. Rubio is expected to garner the most interest out of the players in that group, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com notes.
- Veteran big man Jarnell Stokes, who appeared in 28 NBA games for the Grizzlies, Heat, and Nuggets, has committed to play with the Trail Blazers in Summer League action next month, reports Hoops Rumors’ own JD Shaw (via Twitter).
- Free agent guards Ben McLemore and Jaylen Morris recently worked out for the Rockets, tweets ESPN’s Jordan Schultz.
Not likely that horford follows KI. Although…33…your last contract…it’s only about the $. This will be a crazy year….40% of the association players are free agents. The GMs with the biggest onions will improve their roster.
Horford would be a nice get for the Knicks to help mentor the young guys. But definitely not on a max deal. Personally I wouldn’t offer him more than 3 years at 15 million annually.
He wouldn’t have turned down 30 mil if all he wanted was 45 mil over 3 years. The Celtivs most likely offered him 3 for 60 and he wanted a 4th year.
Boston will need to get a couple young big men in draft, or find an inexpensive FA, I think Horford was a major piece for them offensively and defensively
Aron Baynes, Robert Williams, Guershon Yabuesele are already there. Tatum and Ojeleye are capable of seeing time at the 4 too. Perhaps they get 1 more big. After all, if they intend on going in the cheap direction, they may as well give Yabusele a shot at cracking the rotation since they picked up his player option and he will be, what? A third year vet? Williams has so much upside. Perhaps they expect his IQ to increase so that he is actually playable as at least a role player
Assuming they keep their 3 picks, I think I have them ending up with Brandon Clarke, PJ Washington, Sekou Doumboya, or Tyler Herro, Goga Bitadze or Mfiondu Kabengele, and Ty Jerome. As you said, az well as what I said last night, losing Horford hurts the most, but it isnt the end of the world, as you can retool around the versatility of their young guys, and they have a couple of guys that have a chance to be in the rotation moving forward
Baynes and Williams maybe, Yabusele really isn’t a C, they could use a Kabengele, or maybe Bruno Fernando.
Mock draft says bol bol.
Anyone Who Will give more than 60*3 is totally crazy
I wouldn’t even give 3/60. He’s 33 and looking for his last big contract before he sunsets. His problem is there’s too many free agents out there looking for the same dime, and when the music stops and most of the caps are gone, he’ll have to bend to whatever is left out there.
He’s going to be disappointed, unless some team does a desperate overpay.
i like Horford in Dallas or LA (assuming they cant sign any max players)
wait, competently forgot they still have kuzma…
luke doesn’t follow boston csne or he’d complete the story by adding the clippers as al’s preferred choice
Big Al or the NBA Finals MVP? Tough choice for Clippers. I would take The Claw.
I didn’t think he was gong any where , this is awesome let’s do a lil make over Boston done would have some free up money to spend.
Not done I mean now