Celtics Star Free Agent Could Still Retire Ahead of Next Season: Report

A critical Boston Celtics free agent could call it a career rather than agreeing to a new NBA contract.

And even if he does, he'll still have a good shot at being named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Per Anthony Slater of ESPN, former five-time All-Star Boston power forward/center Al Horford, 39, might hang up his sneakers as soon as this summer. Or perhaps he'll ditch the Eastern Conference for another contender.

Horford has been linked to the Golden State Warriors for weeks now, but he has yet to actually sign a deal with the club. Golden State continues to suss out the fate of restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, whose fit with the club has long been tenuous.

"Those around the league continue to ticket Horford to the Warriors when the free agency dust ultimately settles," Slater writes. "The Kuminga situation continues to hold up business for them, keeping Horford in a holding pattern."

Horford would slot in perfectly on Golden State, beyond one key problem.

The 6-foot-9 Florida product is a thoroughly modern big man, capable of spacing the floor (he's a career 37.7 percent 3-point shooter) or scoring in the post with equal aplomb and serving as a terrific passer for his position. Horford is not the All-Star or All-Defensive Teamer he was in his prime, but he's still an above-average defender and a pretty versatile scorer who could give Golden State a true five-out offense as a traditionally-sized center, which could be an exciting opportunity for a still-potent Stephen Curry.

"But Horford is comfortable waiting," Slater cautions. "Retirement remains on the table, sources said, though the Warriors appear to be operating as if he is a firm part of their plan next season."

The biggest caveat about Horford is the mileage. At 39, he's on the cusp of his 19th NBA season. Across his past four seasons in Boston (which included Horford's first NBA championship in 2024), the veteran big man has been available for between 60-69 games each year, which is encouraging for an old guy. Last season, he averaged 9.0 points on .423/.363/.895 shooting splits, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.6 steals a night.

Horford will probably be capable of similar production for Golden State, but it's tough to see the team's addition of another incredibly old player putting it over the top in the crowded West. Curry is 37, Jimmy Butler will be 36 at the start of the NBA season, and Draymond Green is 35. These are no spring chickens.