Al Horford selected to stick with Celtics for stability, likelihood to win

BOSTON — Al Horford left the Celtics in free company as soon as. He had little interest in doing so a second time.

That, Horford stated, was the most important purpose why he agreed to a two-year, $20 million extension with Boston Thursday to stay with the franchise by means of the 2024-25 season.

“For me, I actually did need to be part of what we have now going right here,” Horford stated after the Celtics held shootaround at their follow facility forward of Friday evening’s sport right here towards the Miami Warmth. “I felt like me coming again right here final yr, I felt the strides of the group began to make and we have continued to make strides in the best course.

“I really feel like there’s an actual objective of attempting to win and the group that we have now is only a actually good group. So, I am completely satisfied and we all know we have now numerous work forward. However one of these stability, it is exhausting to search out.”

Horford himself discovered that the exhausting approach. Again in 2019, after spending three seasons in Boston — and reaching the Jap Convention finals twice — Horford selected to go away and be part of the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year, $109 million contract — the ultimate yr of which Horford is at present taking part in below. However after a disastrous first season in Philadelphia, during which he proved to be an ungainly match with famous person huge man Joel Embiid, Horford was wage dumped to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder the next offseason.

Then, after spending a yr with the Thunder — and lacking the playoffs for the primary time in his profession — he was traded again to the Celtics for Kemba Walker in Brad Stevens’ first transfer because the crew’s president of basketball operations.

Horford stated that have, and the enjoyment he felt final yr upon returning to the Celtics and collaborating within the crew’s run to the NBA Finals, performed a major position in him taking lower than what he doubtlessly may’ve obtained on the open market subsequent summer season as an unrestricted free agent to stay with Boston shifting ahead.

“One of many issues is, greater than something, you need to be in a spot the place you will have an opportunity to contend, to win,” Horford stated. “A spot that is, for me, greater than basketball. Boston, I really feel an actual connection right here with the folks and with what the Celtics are all about, and it is one thing that simply actually excited me. And the truth that I get that chance and Brad believing in me and bringing me right here, it is one thing that is particular, and I am actually grateful for the chance.”

Horford, 36, is now signed by means of what will likely be his thirty ninth birthday. Already in his sixteenth NBA season, Horford stated he wasn’t at all times certain that he would have the ability to have the kind of longevity he is been capable of create for himself. However as he is aged, he is turn out to be a wonderful long-range shooter — he is hitting practically 50 p.c of his photographs from 3-point vary this season — an opportunity he credited to his time with the Atlanta Hawks, together with executives Rick Sund and Danny Ferry and coaches Mike Budenholzer and Kenny Atkinson.

This season, Horford, who’s averaging 10.9 factors and 6.3 rebounds per sport, has held the fort down for Boston inside because the Celtics await the return of defensive anchor Robert Williams III from knee surgical procedure that befell simply earlier than the beginning of coaching camp.

And, as issues have performed out the best way they’ve, Horford stated it was essential to him to clear up any lingering uncertainty about his future, and to indicate a dedication to the Celtics, who enter Friday evening’s sport with a league-leading 18-4 report.

“I feel this was one thing that was going to occur sooner or later or one other.,” Horford stated, when requested if extension talks had been within the works. “Like I stated, there have been various things that the crew needed to take care of and issues like that. There was actually no urgency, per se, however I needed to be sure that this did not drag out till free company and the summer season and all these issues and simply as soon as the time was proper, to work this out and simply deal with the season.”