NBA Rumors: Veteran Center’s Return May Not Reap Dividends For Celtics

Al Horford was a pillar for the Boston Celtics when he suited up for the franchise for three NBA seasons.

After two years, the Dominican cager is back in Bean Town in what was Brad Stevens' first move as president of basketball operations.

Horford ended up back in Boston following a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for Kemba Walker.

The C's also sent a 2021 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick as part of the deal.

Aside from the 35-year-old center, the Thunder also sent Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round draft pick in the deal.

Horford allegedly never wanted to leave the Celtics back in 2019, but the money game came into play.

The Philadelphia 76ers dangled a four-year $109 million deal, a sum that Boston would not match.

As most know, things did not work out in Philly for the five-time All-Star and he was sent to the Thunder in December 2020.

The 6-foot-9 center-forward failed to fit in anew and was forced to sit out the rest of the season following a decision by OKC to focus on their younger players.

Now Horford is back in Boston. There were insinuations that the third overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft would have stayed had they known that Kemba Walker would be signed to replace Kyrie Irving at the time.

“Horford is certainly thrilled with being back in Boston,” Wojnarowski said on the podcast. “He never really wanted to leave, but financially it made sense for him to go do that deal with the Sixers.”

Some years have passed and along with that comes the questions of his age. At 35, Horford may show some dip in performance due to wear and tear.

But he does fill in the void when it comes to the franchise' frontline heading into next season.

As far as fitting in, there is no question that Horford is back home. But as far as being comfy with it, that may all depend on who their next head coach will be.

With Stevens getting promoted, filling the head coaching vacancy is another step the Celtics need to address.