The Boston Celtics got their man. Might another be joining him?
Despite the most recent momentum suggesting that Al Horford was leaning toward returning to the Atlanta Hawks, basketball’s marquee free agent big man announced his intentions to sign with Boston on Saturday night.
Celtic Pride!!!!!! 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) July 2, 2016
The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski provided details of Horford’s agreed upon contract mere seconds after the 30 year old pledged allegiance to green and gold.
Al Horford plans to sign a four-year, $113M deal with the Boston Celtics, league sources tells @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2016
All indications before nightfall were that the four-time All-Star was planning to leave Atlanta. Not only were the Hawks without cap space after agreeing to large deals with Dwight Howard and Kent Bazemore, but they supposedly hadn’t offered Horford a contract worth the full five year maximum amount allowable.
But the sides grew closer as the day wore on, to the extent that Atlanta was reportedly aggressively shopping Paul Millsap – who many consider Mike Budenholzer’s best player, by the way – to teams across the league. Ultimately, though, the Hawks never quite found enough available cash to give Horford the contract he wanted to stay with the team that drafted him in 2007.
Sources: Tremendous momentum for Hawks in final hours, w/ Horford returning and giving Hawks chance. In end, Hawks, Horford $6M total apart.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2016
Hawks believed Horford's heart was with them, would accept last offer. Horford dropped demand of full 5-year max but sides never closed gap.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2016
The Vertical also notes that the Washington Wizards, who apparently led for Horford earlier in the day, remained a viable destination until a decision came to pass. But the Wizards’ major loss, obviously, might be an bigger win for the Celtics than it seems on the surface.
It’s been no secret that Danny Ainge has long strived to add a player of this caliber to Boston’s promising young core. With Horford committed to the Celtics, might free agency’s biggest domino fall their direction, too? USA Today’s Sam Amick reports that Ainge, Brad Stevens, and company learned of Horford’s choice while they were pitching Kevin Durant.
And talk about timing: I'm told the Celtics meeting with Kevin Durant in the Hamptons is still going as we speak (tweet).
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 2, 2016
Whether Boston nabs the summer’s biggest prize, though, the surprising addition of Horford has already ensured it will be considered a massive success. Wouldn’t you agree, Isaiah Thomas?
https://twitter.com/Isaiah_Thomas/status/749383373462863875
