Boston Celtics fans saw the defense of their 2024 NBA title come to an end sooner than anyone expected after falling to the New York Knicks in six games.
With the taste of that loss still fresh in the mouths of the Celtics, one key starter has already changed his tune about what the future will hold. After stating that he planned to continue to play beyond the 2025 campaign, veteran forward/center Al Horford has changed his tune.
Al Horford Contemplating NBA Future After Celtics' Playoff Exit
What was once a certainty is now much more up in the air. Horford now plans to take some time to discuss his options with his family before committing to keep playing at the game's highest level.
“I’m going to take some time here with my wife and my kids and just (do) that,” Horford said, according to Jay King of The Athletic. “It has not even been a day, so there’s still a lot for me to process and just feeling everything out from last night, that was difficult.”
Given how the Celtics were one of the favorites to raise the Larry O'Brien Trophy, bowing out in the conference semifinals isn't something that Horford or his teammates expected. Losses like the one Boston just suffered take time to get over, and the Celtics veteran knows he is best suited to take his time and think things over rather than coming to some emotional decision in the immediate aftermath of being eliminated.
“I’m just not ready to talk about that right now,” Horford said. “I just need some time with my wife and my family, and that’s what I plan on doing these next few weeks.”
“I just think everything is just still very fresh for me,” he continued. “Those are all things that I’ll be thinking about these next few weeks.”
There are plenty of things for Horford to consider as he makes this decision. Given how the team's cap sheet is structured, Boston will undoubtedly make major roster changes this offseason. Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury could force him to miss most of the 2025-26 regular season, which could also affect the pending free agent's decision.
Although the Celtics would love to keep Horford in the fold, there are no guarantees that the veteran fits into their future plans, whether he elects to continue his career or not.