3 Celtics Leaving Boston in the New Year

With the New Year comes resolutions, excitement about future plans, and a reset on the calendar. For Boston sports fans, the New Year marks the end of a disastrous Patriots season, new optimism toward the Red Sox and their off-season moves, and the Celtics pursuit of back-to-back NBA Championships. As Boston sports organizations are all headed in different directions, the Celtics continue to provide the most success and excitement heading into 2025.

The Celtics are sitting at 22-6, second in the Eastern Conference behind the Cavaliers. Boston has a 10.0 point differential, good for 4th-best in the league. Much of this is being done without their All-Star center, Kristaps Porzingis, who returned on November 25th after getting off-season surgery.

As much as we would like 2025 to mark the year the Cs won back-to-back titles, the New Year will also mark new additions and departures potentially from the Celtics roster and coaching staff. Here are 3 Celtics that could leave Boston in the New Year.

1. Al Horford

Horford, a Celtics fan favorite, has been around through the highs and lows of the Celtics during his 7 years with Boston. His presence on defense and ability to stretch the floor have been crucial to the Celtics success, whether it's in the starting lineup or in a role off the bench. Tasked with defending multiple MVPs like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid in playoff series over the years, Horford has always stood his ground and provided the Cs with a tough interior presence and ability to shoot behind the arc. He and Marcus Smart were the Celtics leaders while Brown and Tatum were finding their footing in the league.

After winning a much deserved ring with Boston last season, many contemplated during the off-season that Horford had played his final season with the Celtics, and would retire on top after a successful 17-year career. Horford was drafted in 2007 by Atlanta, and his career has consisted of 1 NBA Championship, 5 All-Star appearances, 1 All-NBA team selection and an All-Defensive team appearance. He is the 7th oldest player in the NBA according to StatMuse.

The reason Boston may be missing Horford in 2025 is due to retirement. He has not confirmed this is his last season, and even said in September that he doesn't put limits on how long he'll play. The main concern comes with this being the last year on Horford's deal, making him a free agent in June.

Is there a possibility of Horford signing a minimum, team friendly deal to come back to Boston next season? Sure, but there remains some uncertainty in the whole situation, given his age. All we know now is that Horford is focused on this season and helping the Celtics in their quest for back-to-back titles.

The Celtics have Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman backing up Horford in the Celtics rotation. Those are all younger and cheaper options, with Kornet is set to become a free agent in June alongside Horford. Whether Al decides to hang it up after this season or not, the Cs have some promising big men learning behind the veteran Horford.

This season, Horford has played in 21 of Boston's 28 games, averaging 8.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. The Celtics big man salary for this season is $9.5 million, as this situation will be something to monitor throughout the rest of Celtics season.