Jayson Tatum's franchise-altering Achilles tear could force the Boston Celtics to take a step back next season. Whether he misses all or most of the 2025-26 campaign, the prudent move is getting under the second apron.
The consequences of a third straight year over the second apron could lead to the 2023-24 NBA champions entering cost-cutting mode. The absence of contention has Jay King of The Athletic pondering if Al Horford will take his talents to the Denver Nuggets.
"This deep into his career, would he want to go chasing another ring elsewhere? If he does, he would be a good fit for several contending teams, including the Nuggets and Pacers, writes King. But Horford has really liked it in Boston and has five children to think about. The last time he left the Celtics as a free agent, he signed in Philadelphia, where he was utilized so poorly that people thought he was washed up."
Why Al Horford signing with the Nuggets makes sense
The prospect of Boston staying in the title picture without Tatum seems bleak. Furthermore, their financial constraints mean that even inexpensive signings come with significant tax penalties.
Contending teams can offer Horford a path back to the NBA summit and more comfortably sign him to a higher salary. So, while he may have originally had no desire to leave, wanting to end his career with the Celtics, one shouldn't take issue if he departs for an opportunity like the one outlined.
Denver isn't flush with cap space. But while the Nuggets are over the first apron, they have yet to cross that second, more punitive threshold. They also have a $5.3 million trade exception at their disposal. That's courtesy of the deal that sent Reggie Jackson to the Charlotte Hornets.
Despite firing head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth shortly before the playoffs, Nikola Jokic led his injury-riddled team into the second round of the playoffs. There, on the heels of advancing past the Los Angeles Clippers, they pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games.
It's fair to view making it that far despite injuries to Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. as a testament to the productivity of Denver's late-season shakeup.
They'll enter the 2025-26 campaign with more stability after removing the interim tag from David Adelman, who impressed after tagging in for Malone.
More importantly, having Jokic, the reigning best basketball player in the world, carves out a path to competing for the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Jamal Murray and Gordon flanking him fortify that. There's also the potential return that could come from trading Porter Jr.
Horford's adept at playing in lineups with another big man on the floor. His floor spacing and defensive mobility would allow him to function seamlessly in tandem with Jokic.
The former Florida Gator averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and nearly 1.0 steals this season. He also knocked down 36.3 percent of the 5.2 threes he hoisted. Horford started in 42 games and logged 27.7 minutes per contest.
Having the 18-year veteran spell the three-time league MVP would also give Denver a caliber of option it hasn't had as an alternative at center when it's time to rest Jokic.
The prospect of joining the Nuggets is one of the most compelling potential opportunities Horford must weigh against his emotional attachment to the Celtics and the city that's become home for him and his family.