What do we do with Horford next season?

[Celtics2021]

One thing that should be noted is Horford’s contract has no guarantee date.  The first deadline for a decision is September 1st, by which he has to be stretched, but the C’s could technically release Horford in early January and still only owe the $14:5 million.  Accordingly, a trade could occur in the off-season, preseason, or early regular season.  Similarly, Horford could be released at the end of training camp and resigned, although that feels like something less likely to go over well with him.

But the key point is that the Celtics can decide what to do with Horford after free agency, as opposed to having to make a decision about releasing him before knowing what the alternatives are.

[Roy H.]

One thing that should be noted is Horford’s contract has no guarantee date.  The first deadline for a decision is September 1st, by which he has to be stretched, but the C’s could technically release Horford in early January and still only owe the $14:5 million.  Accordingly, a trade could occur in the off-season, preseason, or early regular season.  Similarly, Horford could be released at the end of training camp and resigned, although that feels like something less likely to go over well with him.

But the key point is that the Celtics can decide what to do with Horford after free agency, as opposed to having to make a decision about releasing him before knowing what the alternatives are.

Are you sure this is true?  Just because something hasn't been reported doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

EDIT:

Horford’s deal will also become fully guaranteed on the league-wide guarantee date of January 10, 2023, assuming the Finals markers aren’t met.

https://www.spotrac.com/research/NBA/the-kemba-walker-trade-financially-1242/

[Celtics2021]

One thing that should be noted is Horford’s contract has no guarantee date.  The first deadline for a decision is September 1st, by which he has to be stretched, but the C’s could technically release Horford in early January and still only owe the $14:5 million.  Accordingly, a trade could occur in the off-season, preseason, or early regular season.  Similarly, Horford could be released at the end of training camp and resigned, although that feels like something less likely to go over well with him.

But the key point is that the Celtics can decide what to do with Horford after free agency, as opposed to having to make a decision about releasing him before knowing what the alternatives are.

Are you sure this is true?  Just because something hasn't been reported doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

Not positive, because I don’t have his contract, but Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, who generally does have very good info, has this:

1/7/23 — Al Horford’s $26,500,000 guarantees for 2022-23, unless it already had by the Celtics winning the 2021-22 NBA title.

[droopdog7]

The 26 mil is just money, so it doesn’t matter to me one bit what he’s getting paid if he’s going to play and contribute.  Owners may feel differnt if he’s the difference between getting under the tax or not.

Anyway, we’re still not going to have room if we cut Al.

[greenhead85]

4.  Waive him, have $14.5 million in dead cap, and resign him to a smaller contract with Bird rights; Or, #2.

I think PBS likes him. If we are to contend, keeping him in the roster gives us stability in his position and good production and tremendous experience.

[Roy H.]

One thing that should be noted is Horford’s contract has no guarantee date.  The first deadline for a decision is September 1st, by which he has to be stretched, but the C’s could technically release Horford in early January and still only owe the $14:5 million.  Accordingly, a trade could occur in the off-season, preseason, or early regular season.  Similarly, Horford could be released at the end of training camp and resigned, although that feels like something less likely to go over well with him.

But the key point is that the Celtics can decide what to do with Horford after free agency, as opposed to having to make a decision about releasing him before knowing what the alternatives are.

That adds one more alternative, then.  We can play him until 1/17/23.  At that point, if he’s playing well we could waive him and then attempt to resign him with Bird rights.  By that time, almost every contender will have used their MLE, meaning we’d have a clear financial advantage.

At the same time, if we trade him, $14.5 million will count against a team’s cap, but we would have already paid that full amount, leaving the trading team with no salary obligation if they waive him.

That’s a more favorable salary structure than I anticipated.

[Big333223]

The Celtics should be looking to add a third star or semi-star this summer and it seems like that's what they've positioned themselves for. Horford will be the salary.

I'm imagining them going after someone like John Collins.

[Birdman]

The Celtics should be looking to add a third star or semi-star this summer and it seems like that's what they've positioned themselves for. Horford will be the salary.

I'm imagining them going after someone like John Collins.

Al to be included for either Collins or Mitchell

[RodyTur10]

The Celtics should be looking to add a third star or semi-star this summer and it seems like that's what they've positioned themselves for. Horford will be the salary.

I'm imagining them going after someone like John Collins.

Al to be included for either Collins or Mitchell

That would be great. For now he's still a valuable player for the Celtics.
He's not expendable for just anyone.

[BoulderMike]

I think if we trade him before July 1, he get counted at $26.5 m.  I could be wrong.  Anyone know for sure?  This would change the calculus significantly.

[BringToughnessBack]

If we make it to conference finals and perhaps finals, it wont be a coincidence that we brought Horford back. Sometimes a players impact can be felt on and off the court and our cohesiveness together is getting better as well. Usually big veteran presences help on that front.

I will answer this in June after season is over!

[slamtheking]

I figure the most likely scenario is Al is used as the big money match in a deal for the best player we can get in the offseason.  I'd be floored if Al is suiting up for us next season.  I'd be ok with it if it's a choice of him playing for us or waiving him for the sake of cutting costs or flipping him for something/someone minor

[Roy H.]

I think if we trade him before July 1, he get counted at $26.5 m.  I could be wrong.  Anyone know for sure?  This would change the calculus significantly.

No, the NBA closed that loophole.  Any trade after the regular season uses the lesser of his 2022 salary or the guaranteed salary in 2023.  So, he counts for $14.5 in outgoing salary.

[Celtics4ever]

I doubt anyone would take him in a trade without draft capital attached

[jambr380]

One thing that should be noted is Horford’s contract has no guarantee date.  The first deadline for a decision is September 1st, by which he has to be stretched, but the C’s could technically release Horford in early January and still only owe the $14:5 million.  Accordingly, a trade could occur in the off-season, preseason, or early regular season.  Similarly, Horford could be released at the end of training camp and resigned, although that feels like something less likely to go over well with him.

But the key point is that the Celtics can decide what to do with Horford after free agency, as opposed to having to make a decision about releasing him before knowing what the alternatives are.

That adds one more alternative, then.  We can play him until 1/17/23.  At that point, if he’s playing well we could waive him and then attempt to resign him with Bird rights.  By that time, almost every contender will have used their MLE, meaning we’d have a clear financial advantage.

At the same time, if we trade him, $14.5 million will count against a team’s cap, but we would have already paid that full amount, leaving the trading team with no salary obligation if they waive him.

That’s a more favorable salary structure than I anticipated.

I would absolutely trade Al for a star (with a couple of picks) if a deal was available, but the more I look at names available for the Fournier TPE (which are not impressive), the more I'm inclined to keep him. Al is still a good, productive player.

With the details coming out in this thread about his contract situation, I agree that it is almost absurdly in our favor. It's kind-of a joke that we can play him for half of the season and then waive him for the same amount it would cost us to waive in the offseason. If we don't find a deal, like of course we are just going to keep him until his guarantee date. Why in the world wouldn't we?