July has barely begun, and the Boston Celtics’ roster already looks drastically different from what it was at the end of the 2024-25 NBA season. Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet have either left Boston via trade or free agency in the last few weeks, whereas Georges Niang, Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, and Luka Garza have all joined the Celtics’ roster.
Additionally, there’s also rookie big man Hugo Gonzalez, who was drafted 28th overall last week. It’s been a busy summer in Boston, to say the least.
Three of the Celtics’ unrestricted free agents are still available to be signed, including Al Horford. The veteran big man has been one of Boston’s most popular players in recent history, and some C’s fans are still holding out hope that the franchise will bring the 39-year-old leader back for another campaign.
Although there’s, in theory, plenty of time to find a way to bring Horford back, the latest NBA buzz indicates that the Celtics might lose their beloved vet to a hated rival.
It’d be hard to watch Horford playing for another team after playing 465 regular-season games across his two Celtics stints. Having said that, seeing the five-time NBA All-Star in a Lakers uniform would make casual and long-time Boston fans sick to their stomach.
After spending 2016-19 with the Celtics, Horford returned to Beantown in 2021 following brief runs with the Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder. He’s since made 257 appearances (207 starts) with the Celtics, averaging 9.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 46.8% from the floor and 39.2% from deep.
That’s without mentioning the 9.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and .471/.385/.759 splits he’s averaged across the last four postseasons, which includes the 2024 NBA Finals run and victory.
Even if he’s no longer a consistently dominant force on the floor, Horford’s leadership and experience are qualities all 30 NBA teams should covet. While the Lakers can’t be blamed for wanting to inject that type of presence into their lineup, Boston fans would consider it a massive betrayal if the all-time Dominican great decided to don the infamous Purple and Gold.
