Celtics Aim to Retain Key Free Agents Al Horford and Luke Kornet
As the Boston Celtics prepare for the offseason, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has identified re-signing veterans Al Horford and Luke Kornet as top priorities. With the departure of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to new teams ahead of the 2025-26 season, the Celtics are anxious to keep their established big men.
During a recent news conference, Stevens emphasized the value of both players within the organization, stating, “They’re huge parts of this organization. They’re going to have, I’m sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that’s well-deserved.” Horford, at 39, continues to demonstrate his proficiency, averaging 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in his 18th NBA season, while Kornet enjoyed the best performance of his career, showcasing effective metrics alongside star Jayson Tatum.
With financial flexibility gained from recent trades, the Celtics aim to make competitive offers to both players. Currently, Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman are the only bigs under contract for next season, amplifying the urgency to retain Horford and Kornet as key components of Boston’s future. Negotiations with external free agents begin on June 30.
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