Boston fans brace for heartbreak as Al Horford seems poised to trade green for gold with Warriors move
The Boston Celtics experienced a stunning early exit from the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, a moment that many are marking as the end of an era. The unexpected loss in the second round struck a heavy blow to the franchise, especially with superstar Jayson Tatum sidelined indefinitely due to a torn Achilles. The Celtics have since begun a significant roster overhaul, parting ways with key figures from their 2023-24 championship run. This includes trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, and letting veterans Al Horford and Luke Kornet walk in free agency.
The Future of Al Horford with Boston
As the summer unfolded, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens indicated that the likelihood of Horford returning to Boston was slim. However, as free agency dragged on, a glimmer of hope arose for fans longing to see the veteran big man don the green jersey once more. Speculation began to swirl about whether Horford might still find his way back to the Celtics.
In a recent episode of the Light Years podcast, Bobby Manning, an insider with Celtics on CLNS, shed light on the situation. He addressed the lingering curiosity among Celtics fans regarding Horford’s potential return. “There’s probably still some Celtics fans wondering, ‘Oh, if things don’t work out here could he end up on the Celtics?’ I don’t think there’s any chance of that happening. So I do not imagine there’s a chance he’ll be on the Celtics this year,” Manning stated.
The Golden State Connection
For much of the offseason, Horford has been linked to the Golden State Warriors. However, the ongoing restricted free agency of Jonathan Kuminga has placed the Warriors in a holding pattern, making them the only team yet to make a significant move this offseason. Until Kuminga’s future is clarified, the Warriors are unable to finalize any new acquisitions.
Once the situation with Kuminga resolves itself, the prospects of Horford joining the veteran-laden Warriors appear much more tangible. Such a move would undoubtedly evoke a sense of sadness among Celtics fans, who have witnessed Horford’s pivotal role in Boston’s recent successes. As this summer unfolds, the landscape of the NBA continues to shift, and the possibility of seeing Horford trade his green for the Warriors’ gold looms larger than ever.
