BREAKING: Multiple reports are now saying that Al Horford is likely gone
Major change in the Al Horford situation:
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) June 18, 2019
Per source close to Horford, his side is no longer discussing a new 3-year deal to stay with the Celtics. He is expected to sign a 4-year free agent contract elsewhere...
Story to come.
Boston and Al Horford had discussed contract scenarios, but the gulf is too great for sides to believe they can close on a new deal now, league sources tell ESPN. Horford is prepared to enter the free agency to find a three or four year deal elsewhere.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2019
The Boston Celtics are preparing for strong scenario that All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Al Horford will leave as free agents, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2019
I always feared this would happen. The Hawks didn't show Horford the money in 2016 and he took that as a slight and left for the Celtics Asking Horford to accept a discounted 3 year deal when he probably was the most valuable player on the Celtics last season was a giant risk. Why in the world would Horford turn down his option of $30 million to sign a twma friendly 3 year $60 million deal? So you're offering him only $15 million a year for the extra two years? Players of Horford's resume don't make $15 mil a year. That's like some Amir Johnson money.
The Celtics are either going to have to reverse course and actually offer Horford a decent fair market contract or hope the team he chooses is over the cap, so the C's can at least sign-and-trade him.
Also of note is apparently Horford and his agent know they have 4 year contract offers on the table. So much for other teams not being allowed to negotiate with free agents prior to July 1st?
Update:
Per sources, the Celtics have been aware of Horford's interest in signing elsewhere for a few days. The team has not given up hope of trying to convince him to stay, however.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) June 19, 2019
Want 2 know why Horford believes there’s more $ & more years out there than what C’s offered? Tampering, anyone? Same goes 4 Kyrie; he can want Nets but how does he know Nets want him?Tampering, anybody?! I know, Adam, parent team must lodge protest or league aint looking into it
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) June 19, 2019
The belief making the front-office rounds tonight is that Al Horford already knows there’s a four-year contract worth in excess of $100 million waiting out there for him June 30 .. knowledge that led to Horford’s talks with the Celtics dissolving
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 19, 2019
