Latest news with #AlHorford
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Insider suggests Knicks could steal Celtics veteran
The post NBA rumors: Insider suggests Knicks could steal Celtics veteran appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Knicks were two wins short of reaching the NBA Finals, but now they have to go into the offseason wondering what they can do to improve the roster. Advertisement With the starting five looking to be set in stone for now, the one thing the Knicks need to focus on is building depth on the bench. It was obvious that's where most of their problems came from, and getting some solid pieces in the rotation could help them. As free agency begins on June 30, there will be several players whom the Knicks could sign, and one of them has been a veteran on the Boston Celtics, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. 'Al Horford is a free agent,' Bontemps said on the Hoop Collective podcast. 'I don't think at this point it makes a lot of sense for … Horford to be back in Boston. Maybe he will be, but given where things are with the Celtics, I think he's now much more in play than he might have been a month ago.' A lot changed for the Celtics when Jayson Tatum went down with a torn Achilles, but there was always a chance that the core group of that team would get broken up during the offseason because of how much money is on their payroll. Horford could find a way to a team that has a better chance of winning next season, and the Knicks do make a lot of sense. Could Al Horford sign with the Knicks? Not only does it make sense for Horford to sign with the Knicks because of basketball reasons, but he also has a connection with one of the players on the team. Advertisement 'Horford is a longtime friend of (Karl-Anthony Towns and) has played with him with the Dominican National team for a long time,' Bontemps said. 'If they go get Al Horford this summer, … I think (he) would be an unbelievable fit on this Knicks roster.' Horford has played an important part for the Celtics on and off the court over the years, and he can be the player that the Knicks are looking for. He would be a solid backup to Towns, and he can play both the 4 and 5, so there are times they may decide to put both on the floor at the same time. It will be an interesting offseason for the Knicks, and hopefully, they can get some quality depth on the team.
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
On this day: Al Horford, Ramon Rivas born
On this day: Al Horford, Ramon Rivas born On this day in Boston Celtics history, former Boston big man Al Horford was born in 1986 in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. A product of the University of Florida, he helped lead that school to back-to-back NCAA championships (one of the only schools in history to do so) with center Joakim Noah before being drafted third overall in the 2007 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. After nine seasons with that franchise, he would sign with the Celtics in free agency in the summer of 2016, making the All-Star team twice with the team (in 2016 and 2018) before leaving in free agency in 2019, only to return to the team via trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021. He of course won a title with Boston in 2024. Happy birthday, Al! It is also the birthday of former Celtic big man Ramon Rivas, born in Carolina, Puerto Rico in 1966. He would play his NCAA ball at Temple University before being signed by Boston as an undrafted player in 1988 for the following season, his sole in the NBA. He would average 1.4 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.1 assist per game while with the team. Today is also the anniversary of guard Cecil Hankins leaving us in 2002. A product of Oklahoma State, Hankins joined the (now defunct) St. Louis Bombers in the debut season of the Basketball Association of America (BAA - a predecessor league of the NBA) in 1947. At the end of that season, the Alabama native was dealt to Boston for Wyndol Gray, appearing in 25 contests for the Celtics over which he logged 2.8 points per game. Rest in peace.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Tim Bontemps could be on to something as Al Horford becomes a free agent before the next season begins
Al Horford has been with the Boston Celtics on his second run with the team since 2021. He was one of their top players last season, when the Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship 4-1, beating the Dallas Mavericks. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And he was right there this season when they had a pretty superb regular season, becoming the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference. They advanced to the Conference Semifinals before getting eliminated by the New York Knicks. And now Horford is a free agent after his latest run with the Boston Celtics this season, so of course, speculations abound about what his future might hold. ESPN's Tim Bontemps has an inkling of what Al Horford could be doing next Al Horford has said that he has no plans to retire so soon. The 38-year-old NBA All-Star has been with the for four years before his contract expires at the end of the current season. So obviously, a lot of chatter about his immediate future in the league is getting a lot of limelight. Recently, ESPN's Tim Bontemps shared what Horford could be doing now that his tenure at Boston has come to an end. 'Al Horford is a free agent. I don't think at this point it makes a lot of sense for Horford to be back in Boston. Maybe he will be, but given where things are with the Celtics, I think he's now much more in play than he might have been a month ago…Horford is a longtime friend of Karl-Anthony Towns and has played with him with the Dominican National team for a long time.' The New York Knicks recently got eliminated by the Indiana Pacers during the Conference Finals, where they had been a dominant force so far. They had a historic season this time around, and have impressed many with their stats. So this is no doubt a good place for Al Horford to go to if he decides to leave the Celtics. And of course, his connection with Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks center, is also there. So this could be a pretty good move for the Dominican athlete. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But is this what he wants? What are Al Horford's future plans? With his 40th birthday just a day away, Al Horford is looking at a pretty bleak future in terms of his playing career. While he has been a pretty consistent part of the Boston Celtics team so far, his stats have not been what they once used to be, even if he had a pretty positive impact on the team defensively this season. But now that he is a free agent, whether the Celtics re-sign him or let him go is up in the air. A few weeks ago, while talking about Walter Clayton Jr. , Horford said to sports broadcaster John Fanta: 'I know that I'm gonna be playing against him next season in the pros. Maybe he'll be with us." But the uncertainty is on whether he himself is going to stay with the Celtics next season, or the fans will see a change in the playing order. Another thing that could pose an issue is that the have already had to pay the luxury tax penalty this season and could be looking to repeat it the next season if they don't make some major changes. This could also lead to them either trying to let Horford go or trying to sign him with a massive pay cut. Whether he accepts it or not would be up to the player. Also Read:
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Which younger Boston Celtics will have a bigger role with the team next season?
Which younger Boston Celtics will have a bigger role with the team next season? Which younger Boston Celtics will have a bigger role with the team next season? With the Celtics looking at being without star forward Jayson Tatum for much if not all of the season to come with an Achilles tendon tear currently healing up, there will be extra minutes available for Boston to fill. And that does not even take into account that big men Al Horford and Luke Kornet are free agents who might not return to the team. There are several younger players on the roster who might see their playing time go up given all that is going on with the Celtics for their coming campaign. Could we see more of Baylor Scheierman, Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, JD Davison, or Payton Pritchard, to name a few? The hosts of the CLNS Media "Still Poddable" podcast, Brian Robb, Sam Packard, and Jay King, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below to find out what they had to say. If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Celtics Could Lose NBA Champion to Knicks in Free Agency
Celtics Could Lose NBA Champion to Knicks in Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Even before Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles, there were many questions regarding who would stay and who would go on the Boston Celtics this offseason. Being above the NBA's second tax apron, the Celtics will likely part ways with some of their players. Advertisement They also have some free agents this summer, including Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Torrey Craig. The most decorated of those free agents is obviously Horford, who has played seven years for the Celtics and has helped make multiple extensive playoff runs. The five-time All-Star will be 39 this summer, and while he has impressively continued to play at an NBA level despite his age, he still only has so much time left. With Tatum out indefinitely, the Celtics may not be able to compete at a high level, which puts re-signing Horford into question. Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42).© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images On "The Hoop Collective," ESPN's Tim Bontemps expressed his doubts as to whether Horford will stay in Boston. Advertisement "Al Horford is a free agent," said Bontemps. "I don't think at this point it makes a lot of sense for ... Horford to be back in Boston. Maybe he will be, but given where things are with the Celtics, I think he's now much more in play than he might have been a month ago." By contrast, Bontemps believes the New York Knicks hold plenty of appeal to Horford as a destination. "Horford is a longtime friend of (Karl-Anthony Towns and) has played with him with the Dominican National team for a long time," Bontemps said. "If they go get Al Horford this summer, ... I think (he) would be an unbelievable fit on this Knicks roster." Advertisement The Celtics lost Horford the last time he hit free agency when he left to join the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. The last time the Celtics had former players join the Knicks in free agency was 2021 when Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier joined them. Related: NBA Legend Urges Celtics to Make Kristaps Porzingis Decision Related: Jrue Holiday to Clippers Trade Report Receives Update on Thursday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
