Boston Celtics Dilemma this July - Al Horford Renewal - $60M Decision

[celtxman]

Someday this topic should be a sticky. The current "CBA & Business" topic just won't be enough to handle this. It will affect ALL championship contenders and has already affected Minnesota, Denver and Boston.
As to the Horford dilemma, if he doesn't retire, I think he is on the Celtics next year, and Sam Hauser is not. I've already said this on the Celtics board. But a lot depends on how this year finishes. I think Hauser is gone either way as his $10 million per contract kicks in. Part of his replacement would be Drew Peterson at minimum salary. If the Celtics win the championship, they will keep the rest of the core. If they don't win it all, it will depend on the circumstances of how they lost (lose in first round, lose in Game 7 of Finals, bad injury etc.) But now they would have to consider losing Holiday and/or Porzingis. There is a chance of trading Jaylen Brown because they could get a rising (cheaper) star back.
It's not about Horford. It's about every contract you have.

Assuming they performed well, Are the Celtics willing to pay additional 25M in Luxury Tax to resign Al into agreeable $5M for one final push(2025-26 season) before they trade Jrue and KP.

I believe that signing Horford at that rate would be done in that scenario. In the Celtics case it will come down to current and future ownership. It is probable that Lonnie Walker getting a veteran minimum contract isn't on the Celtics now because ownership drew a line in the sand on paying up to $10 million in taxes this year, and they couldn't unload Jalen Springer.

[XTC]

One way or another Boston's going to have to do some payroll triage starting next summer.

tough one. you cannot replace smarts. it's invaluable
what's with the 60m if he's making 9mil

he's made 100mil in his career. i think both sides will meet

$280 million***

[bisme37]

I get the point of this thread but the number is complete speculation and I don't know why we're trading this guy...

Read on Twitter

[Tottery]

If Harford decides to keep playing, he'll take a cut and stay with the Celtics. I think that decision is dependant on winning. If they can repeat, he'll come back. If they don't make the Finals, he may ride off into the sunset. He is close to 40 and the amount of work one puts in has to be worth it.

[brackdan70]

I think the best option is to package Sam Hausser and Horford this February to get a Big Man.
In that sense, you can save luxury tax and have a final piece this season and next season as well.

Then come 2026/27 season, rebuild the team with Tatum and JB as the franchise players.

I don’t see them trading Horford or Hauser this year.
I expect Horford to retire after this year or come back for the minimum.
Hauser is on a team friendly contract and it’s possible he could be traded in the future but I really doubt this year.
I am quite sure they are keeping the team together for this season and then will look at moving Jrue, KP or both next season, when the repeater tax hits.

[Edrees]

If Horford declines the option and instead takes a min, I bet the NBA will add a new rule next year where if a player declines an option with a team, they can no longer sign that player for less. It's just the way the NBA is headed with CBA rules.

[Capn'O]

That's a hard no, boss.

[Lalouie]

One way or another Boston's going to have to do some payroll triage starting next summer.

tough one. you cannot replace smarts. it's invaluable
what's with the 60m if he's making 9mil

he's made 100mil in his career. i think both sides will meet

$280 million***

even more so then

he's old
he plays on a winner
he eschewed the pros to stay @florida because he wanted another banner. so money wasn't important back then, and he already has enough now

there'll be no problem

[JujitsuFlip]

https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/nba-free-agency-al-horford-celtics/1860743/

Stevens said Horford will not be back, as the tear down continues.

Looks like he will either retire or the East Coast kid will finally head to the left coast... At nearly 40 years old.

[MavsDirk41]

https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/nba-free-agency-al-horford-celtics/1860743/

Stevens said Horford will not be back, as the tear down continues.

Looks like he will either retire or the East Coast kid will finally head to the left coast... At nearly 40 years old.

Everything points to him going to GS, not sure what he is waiting on

[JujitsuFlip]

https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/nba-free-agency-al-horford-celtics/1860743/

Stevens said Horford will not be back, as the tear down continues.

Looks like he will either retire or the East Coast kid will finally head to the left coast... At nearly 40 years old.

Everything points to him going to GS, not sure what he is waiting on

An unverified source said he may be considering the Nuggets, if they let Val go to Europe, instead of honoring his contract.

[floppymoose]

GS. Why not. Its where ancient players come to end their careers. We’re like the 2013-14 Brooklyn Nets.

[balrog27]

This gonna be OKC in a few years. 75m for sga, 50 for chet while salary cap is at 140... winnings cool and all but how's that gonna work later on.

[JujitsuFlip]

This gonna be OKC in a few years. 75m for sga, 50 for chet while salary cap is at 140... winnings cool and all but how's that gonna work later on.

They will probably start to feel it in 2026-27 but if they're going for a 3peat by then, they will obviously pay up.

[MrGoat]

You probably just let him go at this point, this might actually be a tank year for the Cs, no need to bring Horford along for that

[Pantsman]

Damn I didn’t know the repeated tax was that crazy. So that means Cleveland is paying 150M combined for Sam Merrill, lonzo and dean wade….

[JujitsuFlip]

Damn I didn’t know the repeated tax was that crazy. So that means Cleveland is paying 150M combined for Sam Merrill, lonzo and dean wade….

It's why they let Jerome walk.

Everyone was like it was only a 3 year $28 million deal. When in reality for the Cavs, in real cash it was about a 3 year $140 million deal.

Yes, Ty is good but I'm not sure he's $47 million AAV good. Especially with Ball, Garland, Merrill, Mitchell, Porter Jr, and Proctor already on the roster.

[Michaellam1987]

Just let Horford leave. BOS has no choices. Having said that, the depth in the PF/C is beyond terrible for BOS.

[dolphinatik]

Boston is straight tanking this year to find talent to pair with Tatum when he is healthy or move on.
Combined with 2nd apron Horford is as good as gone which is doing him a favor as any championship team could use him.
Win win for both not even a decision really.

[TheCage4]

New ownership is gutting the team. Unless your name is Tatum, you're not safe.