Celtics All-Star free agent surprisingly linked to Pacers: 'Good fit'

Boston Celtics fans would experience nausea at the sight of Al Horford wearing a different uniform before he retires.

But it might happen.

Horford, 39, is an unrestricted free agent. The five-time All-Star would look to add a second championship ring to his Hall of Fame resume, but Jayson Tatum’s Achilles complicates that plan.

By the time JT is back on the court, will Horford be over the hill?

The author of this piece already suggested a wild idea for Horford: take a year off from the NBA and come back in 2026-27.

But that’s not really on the table.

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Horford told reporters in May that he’ll discuss his retirement decision with family in the coming weeks. One assumes that if the 18-year vet decides to keep playing, he’ll want to compete for a championship.

Could Horford (gasp) leave the Celtics and join a team with legit title odds in 2025-26? Horford doesn’t seem like the ring-chasing type, but you never know. The Athletic’s Jay King hasn’t ruled it out.

“Tatum’s injury could change Horford’s decision on his future,” King wrote on Monday.

“The Celtics no longer appear ready to contend next season. This deep into his career, would he want to go chasing another ring elsewhere? If he does, he would be a good fit for several contending teams, including the (Denver) Nuggets and (Indiana) Pacers. But Horford has really liked it in Boston and has five children to think about. The last time he left the Celtics as a free agent, he signed in Philadelphia, where he was utilized so poorly that people thought he was washed up. Would he risk ending his career in another situation that looks good on paper, but might not work out?"

Horford in Indiana or Denver wouldn’t feel right, but neither outcome can be ruled out at this point.

Retirement might be a likelier scenario for Horford than playing another season outside of Boston.

If Horford does decide to call it quits, it’s been a heck of a career.

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