The veteran big man revealed his decision to exit Boston is "something that's deeper than just the basketball stuff."
On Thursday, Al Horford met the Boston Celtics for the first time, but now as an opponent.
After four successful seasons of his reunion run with the Celtics, highlighted by their championship victory in 2024, Horford eventually left Boston in last year's free agency. He went on to join the Golden State Warriors in a reported two-year deal worth more than $11 million.
As he addressed a bunch of Celtics reporters before the game, Horford shared an intriguing response as he was asked what led him to part ways with the franchise.
"For me, the decision, it's something that's deeper than just the basketball stuff. And it's something that at some point I'll share with people," he said.
"But for me, it felt like it was the time for me to go elsewhere."
Days leading up to the 2025 free agency, Celtics president Brad Stevens notably said that one of the team's main priorities was to retain Horford's service.
As it is, Boston didn't choose to re-sign the big man. And it was just in October that Horford managed to find his new team, landing in the Bay Area and committing to the Dubs.
"As far as the end of my career, I don’t know," Horford said about the possibility of retiring as a Celtic. "I always keep that open.
"It would definitely be a privilege to do that, but right now I’m just focused on finishing out this year."
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