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Al Horford was reportedly never coming back to the Boston Celtics and had a deal done with the Sixers two weeks ago, according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald.
Horford signed a four-year, $109 million deal with the Sixers. The All-Star big man declined his 2019-20 player option with the Celtics. Some thought Boston could retain Horford after signing Kemba Walker and creating more cap space, but it looks like Al was set on leaving Beantown for the Sixers.
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But according to a league source familiar with negotiations between the two sides, all of the drama prior to Horford’s decision to sign with Philadelphia, as well as much else about that night’s dramatic countdown, was staged.
“No, Al was never coming back to Boston — they had a deal done two weeks ago,” he said.
The Sixers are thrilled to have Horford. They now have a lethal frontcourt duo of Joel Embiid and Al Horford. Philly did lose Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat and J.J. Redick to the New Orleans Pelicans. Elton Brand rebounded nicely by signing Horford and acquiring Josh Richardson from the Heat in the Butler sign-and-trade deal.
This past season, Horford averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 53.5 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from beyond the arc. Sixers fans are grateful they won't have to see Horford defend Embiid anymore.
