Al Horford addresses unsure future with Celtics after elimination to Knicks

BOSTON — Al Horford wasn’t prepared to speak in regards to the future as he sat down on the Auerbach Middle podium, lower than 24 hours faraway from a blowout loss to the New York Knicks that prematurely ended the Celtics’ season.

“For me, it’s simply too quickly to speak about that stuff,” Horford mentioned of his looming free company. “I’ll take a while right here with my spouse, with my children. It’s not even been a day. There’s nonetheless quite a bit for me to course of, simply feeling every thing out from final evening. That was troublesome.”

This previous yr, Horford averaged 9 factors per recreation on 42.3% capturing, together with 36.3% from three. His effectivity improved within the postseason, as he averaged 8 factors on 47.2% capturing, together with 40% from three.

And, although he was usually hunted defensively, he continued to carry up as one of many premier massive man defenders within the league. As soon as once more, with a number of gamers within the Celtics’ rotation injured, he proved himself to be one of the crucial reliable and sturdy gamers on the roster, and finally ended up beginning all however two postseason video games.

However, maybe much more necessary than his on-court affect has been his regular presence within the locker room.

“You possibly can’t substitute Al,” mentioned Payton Pritchard. “So, I undoubtedly hope we get that found out. As a result of his locker room presence alone is simply essential, after which having him on the court docket. For all of the younger guys, simply to see how he goes about his enterprise, how skilled he’s. He’s only a chief.”

Horford was nominated for the NBA’s Teammate of the Yr Award for the second consecutive season. He finally didn’t win the award — however in his teammates’ eyes, it didn’t matter.

“Al’s about nearly as good a teammate as I’ve ever seen,” Luke Kornet mentioned. “Truthfully, the perfect one I’ve ever seen.”

If his teammates have something to do with it, the 38-year-old might be again in inexperienced subsequent yr

Sam Hauser mentioned that Horford was instrumental in shaping his growth as a younger participant on the Celtics. Now, as Hauser navigated his first season as a younger father, Horford has continued to function his blueprint.

“My first two years, I watched him from afar quite a bit,” he mentioned. “I don’t even know if he is aware of this, however I took lots of psychological notes about how he operated on a day-to-day foundation. He’s bought 5 children at dwelling — he’s bought to be actually environment friendly when he’s right here, however he’s all the time in early, getting his pr court docket and getting his rehab in, getting his therapy in, getting his photographs up, doing no matter it takes to be ready on the court docket, but in addition understanding that he’s bought to be a father at dwelling too for 5 children. Now having a child — only one — it’s quite a bit.”

Horford, who signed a two-year, $20 million contract extension in 2022, is now a free agent. He beforehand maintained he wasn’t planning on retiring this season. However Jayson Tatum’s Achilles rupture threatens to maintain him out of all of subsequent yr, and it’s unsure whether or not Horford’s want to stay in Boston might be impacted by the franchise cornerstone’s harm.

The gamers who’re beneath contract desperately hope to get the possibility to run it again with their veteran chief.

“We undoubtedly want him again,” Pritchard mentioned.

Along with Horford, Kornet can be a free agent this summer season. On high of that, it’s been extensively reported that the Celtics may make a sequence of trades to cut back subsequent yr’s historic payroll, which means that the statuses of different gamers on the roster is also unsure.

“It sucks,” Derrick White mentioned after the Sport 6 loss. “You’ll by no means get this season again. You’re by no means going to have the very same staff once more.”