Also, the Warriors have a decision to make about Gary Payton II. At the center position, Al Horford has been rumored to be th

Al Horford could help a lot of teams: He can score inside, knock down 3s, and remains a quality defender. At age 39, a team has to monitor his minutes and not run him like he’s 29, but in a limited role, he could help a lot of playoff teams. It’s why he is one of the best free agents still on the market.

Speaking to reporters, Brad Stevens said that it's "unlikely" Al Horford will return to the Celtics for the 2025-26 season.

If Horford does decide to play, the Golden State Warriors are the favorites to land him, according to long-time NBA insider Marc Stein. The Los Angeles Lakers were also in the running for Horford, but signing centers Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes earlier this summer likely takes them out of the running.

Horford, who has played seven of his 18 NBA seasons in Boston over two different stints, is coming off a 2024-25 season that where he averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per night, while shooting 42.3 percent (36.3 percent from deep), in 60 games for the Celtics.

BOSTON — Al Horford is still mulling over his options in free agency but it appears one option is off the table for the big man. Brad Stevens revealed Tuesday in a press conference at the Auerbach Center that the 38-year-old is “unlikely” to return to the Celtics.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said it’s “highly unlikely” that the 39-year-old center will return to Boston when asked at a Tuesday press conference.