Celtics Rumors: How Al Horford Views NBA Future

The Celtics are focused on advancing past the New York Knicks, but they also have an interesting offseason ahead.

Bill Chisholm is the lead investor set to take over the Boston franchise after he puts together the final touches and the NBA approves of the record $6 billion sale. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens also will need to figure out the financial structure of the Celtics with five players who are set to make over $25 million next season.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst broke down the key details Boston will need to figure out. One decision that will need to be made is whether or not to re-sign Al Horford, whose contract expires after this season.

“Even if Horford doesn’t re-sign — he doesn’t plan to retire and would like to return, sources said — Boston is facing a payroll, with luxury taxes, next season of $464 million, according to ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks,” Windhorst wrote in a column Saturday.

Horford became a beloved member of the Celtics throughout his seven-year career with the franchise. The five-time All-Star is a key leader on Joe Mazzulla’s side, but Horford turns 39 on June 3. Horford has proven he can make championship-winning plays, but the Celtics might make a tough choice when deciding who to keep from the 2024 NBA Finals team.

That decision won’t be present on players’ minds, as the Celtics try to overcome a 2-0 series deficit against the Knicks starting in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.