Are Al Horford’s days with the Boston Celtics numbered?
Multiple rumors connected the 39-year-old center to the Golden State Warriors ahead of Monday’s official start of the NBA’s legal tampering period. Most notably, insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported Horford is a “top target” for Golden State.
Anthony Slater of The Athletic sang a similar tune in a piece published Monday.
“Team sources said (the Warriors) will be on the recruiting trail for veteran help again in the opening hours on Monday afternoon,” Slater wrote. “Team sources have identified a stretch center as a high priority. Many in the league continue to link Al Horford to the Warriors as a preferred target.
“If the Warriors use the taxpayer midlevel exception (projected at around $5.7 million) on Horford or another free agent, they’ll be hard-capped at the second apron, currently projected at $207.8 million.”
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All indications are that the Celtics are serious about retaining Horford.
President of basketball operations Brad Stevens has said as much, as have multiple reports. Still, facing potentially his final season in the NBA, Horford might prefer to go to the highest bidder.
NBA free agents can’t officially sign with new teams until July 6.