That Game 6 loss to the Knicks was a gut punch for Celtics fans. Season over, just like that, and now the offseason rumor mill is already churning. For Al Horford, the Celtics’ veteran rock and a champ just last year, the future’s suddenly looking a little hazy. Big Al’s about to hit free agency, and he’ll be 39 in June. After that tough elimination, he wasn’t about to spill the beans on his plans. But he made one thing super clear: any big decisions about his career, especially with the Celtics in a tricky spot, are going to be made with his wife and their five kids front and center.
You could just feel the disappointment in Horford’s voice after that game. Reporters were, of course, asking about free agency, if he’s thinking about playing next year, and if he wants to stay in Boston. But Al? He just wasn’t ready. “For me, it’s just… it’s just too soon to talk about that stuff,” he said, and you could tell it was still raw. “I’m going to take some time here with my wife, with my kids… and just that. I mean, it hasn’t even been a day. There’s still a lot for me to process — just feeling everything out from last night. That was… that was difficult.” That “difficult” says a thousand words, doesn’t it? This loss, and what it means for the team, clearly hit him hard.
It’s not like Horford’s been dropping retirement hints all season. Actually, back in April, he sounded like a guy who was definitely planning on coming back. But, man, things can change in a hurry in the NBA. Jayson Tatum going down with that brutal Achilles injury, one that could sideline him for most, if not all, of next season?
Sep 24, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) talks to reporters during media day at Auerbach Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
That’s a game-changer. It doesn’t just affect Tatum – it shakes up the whole Celtics organization and definitely makes a veteran like Horford, who wants to compete for rings, think twice. When he was asked if Tatum’s situation would play a part in his decision, Al was straight up: “Yeah, no, I mean… I just think everything is just still very fresh for me. And those are all things that… that I’ll be thinking about in these next few weeks.”
And this is where his family—his wife Amelia Vega (who, by the way, is a former Miss Universe—talk about a power couple!) and their five kids, really come into play. Al Horford has always been about his family. After 18 seasons in this league, winning a championship, seeing pretty much everything, the thought of another tough NBA grind, especially if the Celtics aren’t legit title contenders without Tatum? That’s got to be weighed against spending more time with his loved ones.
He said it again when reporters pushed: “Yeah, I’m just not ready to talk about that right now. I just need some… some time with my wife and my family, and that’s what I plan on doing these next few weeks.”
The Celtics themselves are in a bind. They’ve got a huge payroll, a new owner, and Tatum’s injury probably changes everything for Horford’s future with the team. Boston might have to make some tough money moves to deal with the luxury tax, especially if they don’t see themselves winning it all next year without JT.
So, even if Al wants to run it back, does it make sense for him, for his family, and for where the Celtics are headed now? Payton Pritchard made it clear how much the guys want him back, saying, “You can’t replace Al… We definitely need him back.” But for Big Al, after such a long and amazing career, this next decision? It feels like it’s going to be made around the kitchen table with his wife and kids, figuring out what’s best for “Team Horford.”
The Celtics’ OG: Can they REALLY afford to lose this guy?
When you talk about Al Horford, especially if you’re a Celtics fan or just someone who appreciates damn good basketball, you talk about him with respect. This isn’t about some flashy player who shows up for a season or two; we’re talking about an 18-year NBA warrior who’s been a winner, a leader, and the ultimate pro everywhere he’s been.
And let’s not sleep on what this man has accomplished: five-time All-Star. He finally got that ring with the Celtics in 2024 – a moment every fan was hyped about. He was All-NBA Third Team way back in 2011 and made the All-Defensive Second Team in 2018. This dude was a force right from the get-go, an All-Rookie First Teamer in 2008 after the Hawks picked him 3rd overall. The man just knows how to win.
What makes Big Al so special, especially for these Celtics, is his brain and his do-it-all game. Ask his teammates – Jrue Holiday called him “probably the most reliable player I’ve ever played with,” and Jayson Tatum always talked about Al’s “calming presence.” When your peers respect you that much? That tells you everything you need to know.
And how about the way he’s changed his game over the years? He came in as more of an old-school big, but he saw how the league was shifting and turned himself into a legit three-point shooter (hitting a very solid 36.3% this past season). That ability to stretch the floor is absolutely key for how the Celtics want to play, opening up driving lanes for guys like Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Get this: Al Horford is the only player in NBA history with over 14,000 points, 8,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, 1,300 blocks, AND 900 made threes. That’s just insane, all-around impact.
This past season, even at 38, he was still putting up 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in about 27 minutes a night, anchoring that defense. His value isn’t always about dropping 20 and 10 anymore, even though he’s had plenty of those nights in his amazing career (he averages 12.9 points and 7.9 rebounds for his career).
So, as Al Horford chills with his wife Amelia and their five kids, thinking about what’s next, Celtics fans are on pins and needles. With Tatum’s injury throwing a huge wrench in Boston’s plans for another title run next year, Horford’s decision feels even bigger.
Does he want to stick around for what might be a “bridge year,” help guide the younger guys, and hope for one last shot when Tatum is back? Or does he look at his incredible 18-year career and decide it’s time to hang ’em up and focus on his family? Whatever Big Al decides, he’s more than earned the right to make that call his way.
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