BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 14, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Al Horford has spent far too much time this summer attempting to explain why he is still in the game. Yes, it would not have been surprising if the experienced big man opted to hang up his sneakers and call it quits.
Throughout the Boston Celtics’ championship run, observers couldn’t help but mention that Horford was older than his head coach, Joe Mazzulla.
Last week, as is customary on the website formerly known as Twitter, an account started spreading a bogus story that Horford had declared his retirement. Luckily, his sister Anna was there to turn it off.
If Horford had really decided to retire, this would have been the ideal situation. Horford will be the NBA’s seventh-oldest active player when the new season starts. He’s finally won his first ring in a city he’s grown to call home after feeling unwelcome in Philadelphia during his last stay with the 76ers.
But, assuming his body is ready for another crack at it—and it should help given the Celtics prioritized resting him during the regular season—why wouldn’t Horford want to return? Before the Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals, Horford’s primary claim to fame was that it took him 186 career postseason games to win a championship. This was a dubious accomplishment that threatened to overshadow the five-time All-Star.
This may also count as his career victory lap. Horford’s contract expires at the end of this season. The Celtics are not pushing him out, but they did add Xavier Tillman and Anton Watson to the roster for a purpose. Horford is anticipated to settle into a “veteran presence” position this season as the Celtics look to repeat.
So, no, Horford is not retiring yet. Still, there’s the problematic “yet.” Horford is nearing the end of his career, and the biggest question remaining is whether the Celtics will hang his number 42 in the rafters.
Okay, that might sound ridiculous given that the franchise has already retired 24 numbers, the most in the NBA. For that reason alone, they may decide to keep Horford’s in circulation.
This would make logical sense—after all, this is a numbers game—but Horford would undoubtedly merit the honors if it happened. When the Celtics signed Horford in 2016, they had a well-deserved reputation for being unable to attract free agents. The Celtics’ last championship team was built around players they drafted (Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo) or traded for (Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen).
Horford’s decision to become a Celtic signaled the start of the rebuilding process that
The outcomes speak for themselves. Horford’s return to Boston rejuvenated his reputation, and his calming effect aided the Celtics’ transformation from a brilliant but frustrating team to the best in the NBA. Nobody earned the 2024 ring more than Horford.
So, what’s left for the encore? If Horford can win back-to-back titles, it will be even more difficult for the Celtics to avoid discussing where he sits in the team’s history. That’s reason enough to postpone retirement.
