After reports began to surface in recent days that Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving would leave the team in free agency this offseason, Boston was dealt another tough hand when new reports began to surface on Wednesday that star center Al Horford would opt out of his $30.1 million player option for the 2019-20 season.
Things got even worse when Boston sports writer Steve Bulpett reported that Horford is leaning towards signing a long-term contract with another team during the free agency period this summer.
The 6’10” big man has spent the past three seasons playing for the Celtics after spending nearly a decade with the Atlanta Hawks. Horford is a decorated player, having been named to five All-Star teams with a career 14.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG statline.
He was a key part of the Celtics teams that qualified for the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.
Now, Boston and GM Danny Ainge will do its best to keep Horford around on a new contract. However, it seems as if the 33-year-old’s mind might already be made up that he’d like to go elsewhere.
Horford will be free to sign with any team he likes when free agency officially begins on Monday, June 30.
