Five-time All-Star to take time to decide on potentially returning for 19th NBA season

Horford, who will turn 39 next month, is headed for free agency after the expiration of the two-year contract he signed in 2023. He has been a fixture with the organization since returning in 2021 and played an important role with last year’s championship team, but he hasn’t decided if he wants to continue his NBA career.

“I’m going to take some time here with my wife and my kids and just (do) that,” Horford said at Saturday’s exit interviews. “It has not even been a day (since Boston’s playoff run ended), so there’s still a lot for me to process and just feeling everything out from last night, that was difficult.”

King notes that Horford has previously said he plans to keep playing as long as he feels good physically and can continue to contribute. A report last week from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Horford wasn’t ready to retire and was hoping for a new contract with the Celtics, but Horford sounded less certain after Friday’s Game 6 loss at New York.

“I’m just not ready to talk about that right now,” he told reporters. “I just need some time with my wife and my family, and that’s what I plan on doing these next few weeks.”

There were already rumors that Boston was planning to trim salary this summer to reduce its tax bill, and that strategy became more likely with the loss of Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles that could sideline him for all of next season. The organization projects to be well over the second apron and is facing record-breaking tax penalties if the current roster remains together.

The Celtics have made a few concessions to Horford’s age, like not using him in both ends of back-to-backs, but he remains a vital part of the team’s success. He appeared in 60 games this season, starting 42 and averaging 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per night. He also fits in with the team’s three-point philosophy by shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc.

Horford made $9.5M this year, so it shouldn’t be expensive to bring him back if he decides to continue playing.

King adds that Horford has also been a tremendous locker room leader, with players such as Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser raving about his influence.

“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had at any single level,” Hauser said. “What I learned from him the most was just being routine and being efficient with your time. In my first two years, I watched him from afar a lot. And I don’t even know if he knows this, but I took a lot of mental notes about how he operated on a day-to-day basis. He’s got five kids at home, he’s gotta be really efficient when he’s here, but he’s always in early getting his pre-court in and getting his rehab in, getting his treatment in, getting his shots up, doing whatever it takes to be prepared on the court but then also knowing he’s gotta be a father at home too for five kids. Now, having a kid, just one, I mean, it’s a lot. We would love to have him back, but I’m sure he’s going to take his time and do what’s right for him. Whatever he decides, that’s the right decision.”