🏀 NBA BOMBSHELL: What’s Next for Al Horford? Celtics Star Hints at Shocking Move—Retirement, Trade, or One Last Championship Run? Fans and Analysts Stunned as Horford Teases Major Decision That Could Rock the League! Find Out Why the Basketball World Is Holding Its Breath for His Next Chapter!

Before a game last week against the Knicks, Al Horford’s father, Tito, was sitting on the Celtics’ bench at Madison Square Garden.

“Tito,” a Celtics fan standing in the crowd along the baseline yelled. “Tell Al not to retire!”

Tito turned around with a smile, acknowledging the fan’s plea.

Retirement hasn’t really been a thought, at least not publicly. Horford, who just wrapped up his 18th professional season, had announced his intent to return for a 19th a few times — a number only 26 players in league history have reached.

But speaking Saturday at the team’s practice facility — just hours after a dominant two-year run ended in unceremonious fashion with a 38-point loss to the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the largest playoff win in Knicks history — the unrestricted free agent was noncommittal about his future.

“It’s just too soon to talk about that stuff,” said Horford. “I’m going to take some time here with my wife and my kids. It’s not even been a day, so there’s still a lot for me to process, and just feeling everything out from last night. That was difficult.”

Photo credit Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

It’s not hyperbolic to say the course of Celtics history shifted over the last week. Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury is front and center, but a second-round exit for a roster set to cost nearly half a billion dollars is part of the story, too.

However, Horford hasn’t had time to think too deeply about any of that just yet.

“I just think everything is just still very fresh for me,” Horford said. “Those are all things that I’ll be thinking about these next few weeks.”

Horford turns 39 in June. He ranks in the top 70 in NBA history in games played (1,138) and sits 11th all-time in postseason appearances. He’s two years older than head coach Joe Mazzulla, and four years older than the next-oldest players on the roster — Jrue Holiday and Torrey Craig. Derrick White is eight years his junior. When Jordan Walsh was born in March 2004, Horford was preparing for his freshman year at Florida.

His longevity is remarkable. The average NBA career lasts just four to five years. To still be contributing at this stage — and doing so at a high level — is almost unheard of. The raw numbers don’t tell the full story.

Photo credit Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

In 60 games, Horford averaged 9.0 points on 42.3% shooting, with 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. In his 42 starts, those numbers jumped to 11.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 31.3 minutes per game.

Defensively, while he was hunted at times, he still remained elite. During the regular season, opponents shot just 45.1% against Horford, 3.0% below their expected output. In the playoffs, that number dropped dramatically: opponents shot 65-of-176 (36.9%) when guarded by Horford, a staggering -10.7% below expected.

He remains one of the few bigs capable of guarding any position. In the postseason, Horford held guards to 26-of-75 (34.7%) shooting, forwards to 22-of-61 (36.1%), and centers to 17-of-40 (42.5%). He started nine of Boston’s 11 playoff games, registering the third-most minutes behind just Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.

“There should be a separate stat sheet for guys like him because of the type of stuff that he does,” head coach Joe Mazzula said after a 5-block game against Orlando. “Just an unbelievable competitor. He made all the plays necessary to help us win.”

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There’s no doubt Horford can still contribute on the floor. But his presence off it might be just as valuable. Mention his name, and his teammates light up. He’s the emotional leader of the group — someone they trust, follow, and respect at the highest level.

“Al is – talk about being a professional, he’s the best. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had at any single level,” Hauser said. “What I learned from him the most was just being routined and being efficient with your time. In my first two years, I watched him from afar a lot. And I don’t even know if he knows this, but I took a lot of mental notes about how he operated on a day-to-day basis. He’s got five kids at home, he’s gotta be really efficient when he’s here, but he’s always in early getting his pre-court in, getting his rehab in, getting his treatment in, getting his shots up, doing whatever it takes to be prepared on the court but then also knowing he’s got to be a father at home too for five kids. Now, having a kid, just one, I mean, it’s a lot. You learn a lot from a guy like that who has a lot of experience. So I appreciate him. Obviously, we would love to have him back, but I’m sure he’s going to take his time and do what’s right for him. Whatever he decides, that’s the right decision.”

Photo credit Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

That phrase—“best teammate”—was echoed by Luke Kornet. Ask anyone in the locker room, and it’s unanimous: Horford is the standard.

“Al’s about as good a teammate as I’ve ever seen. Honestly, the best one I’ve ever seen,” said Kornet. “He’s obviously meant a lot to our team and to this franchise. He’s an incredibly accomplished player and great, but I feel like in terms of the identity of the team, so much of it is him and his leadership.”

Horford will be one of several difficult decisions the Celtics face this summer. After bringing back their entire rotation from last year’s championship team, this offseason carries more uncertainty. And as the Celtics navigate that, they hope their steady hand will be back alongside them.

“You can’t replace Al,” Payton Pritchard said. “So I definitely hope we can get that figured out, because just his locker room presence alone is crucial. And then having him on the court, just for all the young guys to see how he goes about his business, how professional he is, he’s just a leader. So, we definitely need him back.”