Al Horford explained why he decided to leave the Celtics

Even in an offseason of high-profile player departures, the exit of Al Horford stuck out as a major loss for the Celtics.

Horford, 39, left Boston as a free agent, opting to sign with the Golden State Warriors on a two-year deal in late September.

Though his role statistically declined in his final two seasons with the team (as Horford was used more coming off the bench), he remained not only vitally important for his on-court contributions, but also his leadership. And because of his ability and the respect he garnered from teammates, Horford was (and remains) a fan favorite.

So why did the longtime Boston forward decide to leave the place he’d helped win a title in 2024?

Horford recently elaborated on the subject with Nick Friedell of The Athletic, citing money, but — more importantly — a chance to win, as the underlining reasons for his departure. He specifically referenced the uncertainty raised by Jayson Tatum’s Achilles rupture (and unknown return timeline). He also pointed out that had circumstances been different, he would’ve stayed.

“There [were] two things there,” Horford told Friedell. “I think the financial part was a component, but more than that, it was the winning part of it, trying to contend for a championship. And I think there was a lot of things up in the air — and it just felt like they weren’t in the same, that same vision, obviously, because JT getting hurt, that takes a big toll. So I think at that point I really had to — up until then I was staying in Boston the whole time.”

Horford, who left Boston as a free agent once before (with the 76ers in 2019), said that he simply wasn’t going to get what he wanted from the Celtics as he looks to a career timeline that is inevitably winding down.

“They just weren’t in a position to offer me the opportunity that I wanted.”

As Boston’s eventful offseason played out — with Tatum’s rehab proceeding, as well as the trades of both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis away from the Celtics — Horford said it had a “domino effect” on his thinking.

“I think once that offseason happened and it started to progress, it became clear to me the team had different priorities,” Horford told Friedell. “Obviously, getting rid of Jrue, getting rid of Kristaps. And I know it’s all salary stuff, but it was like a domino effect, and it was tough for me. It was a tough decision, but my wife and I, we prayed about it. I knew that it had to be something that was going to be — that my family had to be on board with me for us to proceed in something like this. And that was it.”

Now, Horford will be a part of the Warriors in 2025-26. When asked if he thinks Golden State will be his last team, he replied, “I think so.”

Originally a first-round pick by the Hawks in 2007, Horford is a five-time All-Star. He first signed with the Celtics in 2016, and returned to Boston via trade in 2021.