Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens has projected whether or not the team can re-sign free agent big man Al Horford in a Tuesday press conference.
According to Noa Dalzell of Celtics On CLNS, Stevens conceded that the Celtics' chances of retaining the former five-time All-Star power forward/center this summer are "unlikely."
In a bit of a surprise, Stevens indicated that Boston had tendered new contracts to both Horford and his now-departed fellow reserve Boston big man, Luke Kornet.
Brad Stevens says that getting Al Horford back is "unlikely" at this point, but that the Celtics made both him and Luke Kornet offers
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) July 8, 2025
The 6-foot-9 Florida product, now 39, remains an incredibly serviceable modern two-way big man. In 60 healthy contests for the 61-21 Celtics last season, Horford averaged 9.0 points on .423/.363/.895 shooting splits, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.6 assists per game, across 27.7 minutes per.
Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla's preferred frontcourt rotation has been entirely depleted this summer. Starter Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team deal with the Brooklyn Nets to shave off luxury tax apron obligations. The Celtics netted back stretch forward Georges Niang and a future second round pick for their trouble.
MORE NEWS: Brad Stevens admits real reason Celtics traded Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis
Admittedly, Horford was a far more critical component to both of the Celtics' playoff runs during Porzingis' tenure.
Across 30 playoff contests (24 starts) in that stretch, Horford averaged 8.7 points on .476/.377/.722 shooting splits, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.7 steals in 30.8 minutes per.
While battling health issues, Porzingis appeared in just 18 games (11 starts) during his two playoff runs with Boston, averaging 9.5 points on .381/.255/.761 shooting splits, 4.6 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 0.9 assists and 0.8 steals in just 22.0 minutes.
Kornet inked a three-year, $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs to back up All-Star center Victor Wembanyama.
Horford has frequently been linked to the Golden State Warriors as free agency has stretched into its second week, but other clubs could certainly still be in the running for his services.
MORE NEWS: 'All signs' point to Celtics free agent Al Horford landing on one team