Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Boston Celtics: Time to move on from Al Horford’s free agency spurning

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 09: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers takes a shot against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the first half of the game at TD Garden on January 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 09: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers takes a shot against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the first half of the game at TD Garden on January 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former Boston Celtics big man Al Horford has moved on and it’s time for Danny Ainge to do the same.

The biggest shock of free agency wasn’t the departure of Kyrie Irving, it was Al Horford spurning the Boston Celtics in favor of their Atlantic Division rivals the Philadelphia 76ers.

When Horford opted out of the fourth year of his contract with the team, it was pretty much a sure bet that the versatile big man would return on a team-friendly deal.  However, things quickly turned south as a mystery team swooped in and had a deal on the table that outweighed what the Celtics were offering.

That team turned out to be the 76ers.

More from Chowder and Champions

Just a couple days into free agency, the five-time All-Star signed a four-year, $109 million deal to join Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons in Philadelphia.  The move obviously was a blow to Ainge more because neither him nor the team saw it coming.

Though the Celtics have moved on by signing Enes Kanter, there is still some sour grapes lingering on how free agency played out when it comes to Al Horford.  According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Boston Celtics felt “tampering” was behind Hordford’s sudden change of path and change of heart when it came to his negotiations with the team.

"“The Celtics were, from what I am told, one of the teams that kind of stomped their feet with what they thought was tampering,” Windhorst said in appearance on the Hoop Collective podcast with Jackie MacMullan and Tim MacMahon.  “Not with Kyrie, with Horford.  What happened with Horford, from what I am told, really upset the Celtics.  They were thinking they were going to be able to negotiate with him, talk to him about a new contract and all of a sudden, it was like, he already knew what his market was and what was out there.”"

What hurts most with Horford leaving is how he would’ve paired up with Kemba Walker.  Ainge believes the veteran big man wouldn’t have left if he knew the team had the All-Star guard locked up.  But sometimes things happen for a reason, especially in the NBA.

Horford’s thoughts

In an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show” on Monday, Al Horford was asked about the tampering and called the whining by the Boston Celtics as “ridiculous” in a classy way of course.

"“Well, what can I say? It’s just, to me, kind of ridiculous,” Horford said, as transcribed by WEEI.  “It is what it is.  I mean, you know Danny.  I love Danny.  You know, Danny was always really good to me and I know that he was definitely frustrated (that) things didn’t work out with us.”"

While Horford did not deny the tampering accusations, it is pretty clear he believes conversations between players and teams prior to the NBA’s Free Agency Moratorium.  How else would the NBA world know Kyrie Irving had his eyes set on Brooklyn?

Obviously, the Celtics did because they pretty much had Kemba Walker locked up as Irving was capturing his childhood dreams by signing with the Nets.

As much as it may hurt to see Horford in a 76ers uniform next season and beyond, the Boston Celtics will move on.  Kanter and young big men like first-round pick Grant Williams and second-year man Robert Williams will get their opportunity more now than they would’ve if Horford returned to the mix.

dark. Next. Three thoughts on Al Horford teaming with Joel Embiid

In summary, the Al Horford era in Boston was much appreciated.  But, at the same time, his departure may end up helping the Celtics in the long run.  It gives players like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum bigger roles and allows the Williams duo to grow.

So, just let it go Danny.

Home/Boston Celtics