Many Boston Celtics fans had come to the realization as the 2018-19 season was ending that Kyrie Irving leaving the team over the summer in NBA free agency was a real possibility. But Al Horford leaving, too? And to a hated rival? Few fans would have predicted that story unfolding.
Horford decided to take his talents to the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year contract with nearly $100 million in guarantees in July. The move gave him both financial security and a chance to win his first championship -- Philly has the fourth-best odds to win the 2020 NBA Finals, per the Westgate SuperBook.
But what if Irving re-signed with Boston? How would that have impacted Horford's decision? The 33-year-old veteran was asked that question in a recent interview with the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett.
“I’m not sure that has anything to do with it for me,” Horford said. “I just think that if Kyrie would have stayed, I don’t know if it would have worked. There would have had to be some major changes as far as players, because it was just clear that the group that we had just wasn’t going to be able to coexist.”
And what about if he’d known Kemba Walker was coming. Horford paused.
“I don’t want to get caught up in the past,” he said, “but, yeah, that would have been totally different.”
It's fun to think about a Celtics roster with Kemba Walker and Horford, but it would have been hard for Boston to pull off that roster scenario given the complexities of the salary cap.
By securing Walker's signature on a four-year max contract in free agency, the Celtics were able to replace Irving with another All-NBA caliber player. Replacing Horford has proven to be a far more difficult task for Boston.
The Celtics' depth and talent in the frontcourt has taken a step back from where it was last season, and head coach Brad Stevens will have to give a good chunk of playing time to young bigs who, despite having exciting potential, don't bring the same experience, defensive ability and 3-point shooting that Horford provided.
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The Celtics will find out what life without Horford will be like right from the start of the regular season when they battle the Sixers at Wells Fargo Center on opening night Oct. 23.
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