Al Horford’s name is back in the mix for Boston, and this time the path runs through Golden State’s long-term thinking.
The Warriors are weighing more than just the next game or the next season. According to The San Francisco Chronicle’s Tim Kawakami, ownership is already looking ahead to life after Stephen Curry, even while still trying to maximize the current window. That matters because if Golden State starts prioritizing the future more aggressively, it could change Horford’s status and reopen the possibility of a Celtics reunion.
“What (Joe) Lacob wants to do, and this might get Warriors' fans mad, but he wants to build the next team after Steph Curry,” Kawakami said on " The TK Show."
Kawakami later clarified that Lacob still wants to build around Curry now while also thinking about the next great Warriors team once Curry’s time is up.
That kind of split focus is what makes Horford worth watching. Boston already knows what he brings, and the fit would be familiar. But the bigger question is whether the Celtics actually need him again.
A year ago, the answer felt a lot closer to yes. Boston’s frontcourt picture was shaky, with Chris Boucher described as mediocre, Neemias Queta and Luka Garza still unproven, and Xavier Tillman past his prime. This time around, the Celtics have more reason to feel steady about what they have.
Queta, Garza, and Mitchell Robinson give Boston a more convincing rotation, and Chris Cenac Jr. also turned in solid moments in Summer League. Horford would still make sense as a depth addition, but he no longer looks like the must-have piece he once was.
There’s also the sentimental angle. Horford returning for another shot at a title in Boston would be an easy story to like, especially with his career winding down.
But the Celtics are not viewed as one of the league’s top teams right now, and that weakens the urgency. If things break right this season, that could change.
For now, though, Horford looks more like a possible luxury than a necessity.
In Other News...
Celtics Suddenly Have A Wing Worth Chasing If Brad Pays The Price
Bostons search for another wing has turned up a name worth monitoring, but the path to getting there is anything but simple. Cameron Johnson has emerged as a player the Celtics are exploring, and the appeal is obvious for a team that can always use more size, shooting and lineup flexibility on the perimeter. The problem is that Bostons cap situation makes a clean fit difficult, so any serious pursuit would likely require more than just interest and a phone call.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, do not appear eager to rush into a move, which adds another layer to the puzzle for Brad Stevens and company. If Denver is willing to wait, the trade deadline could become the more realistic window for a deal, especially if Boston is still juggling the kind of outgoing pieces needed to make the money work. For now, the Celtics have a target worth chasing, but not one they can simply go out and get. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics May Be Drifting From The Identity That Won Them A Title
Bostons center picture is starting to look a lot different from the one that helped define its title run. After leaning into a five-out, shooting-heavy approach at the position, the Celtics have moved toward a more traditional mix by bringing in Mitchell Robinson and keeping Neemias Queta and Luka Garza around, a sign that rebounding, screening and interior presence now matter more than spacing at the five.
The shift also reflects a market reality, since there simply were not many stretch centers available in free agency. Boston still has room to change course if a shooting big man surfaces later, and the front office can keep adjusting based on how the current group fits, but for now the roster points toward a different kind of frontcourt than the one Celtics fans got used to. [Read more 🡒]
Jordan Walsh Deal Could Signal A Bigger Celtics Decision
Jordan Walshs new deal gives the Celtics a little more breathing room with one of their younger wings, and it says plenty about how the team views his trajectory. The 21-year-old played 68 games last season and flashed enough on both ends to make himself a real part of Bostons long-term picture, which is why the extension fits as much as a reward for progress as it does a bet on what comes next.
Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez complicate the picture in a way Boston has to keep sorting through. The Celtics have three young wings with rotation-level upside, but not nearly enough minutes to satisfy all of them, and that kind of logjam can shape everything from development plans to roster decisions down the line. Walshs place in that mix may be secure for now, but the bigger question is how long Boston can keep all three in the same lane. [Read more 🡒]