Woj: Horford Agrees to Extension

[td450]

This is excellent news.

For a few years, it has seemed to me that the team's big question is what to do about Al's replacement. The team has never been thinner at the big position. We all looked at this roster and thought at some point, the C's would need to move a guard and some picks to get a longer term solution.

So while Al is sticking around for the duration, the problem is still there. But...

It turns out the trio of Smart, Brogdon and White is killing it. Pritchard seems like he would take a major step too, if he could just play a bit more. It all adds up to the best offense any of us have seen since Bird. And, Luke Kornet seems OK for now. Maybe better than OK. Blake Griffin seems able to play some decent minutes occasionally.

Without Robert Williams, the team is 18-4. So maybe the team does nothing. It might take a shot if a perfect opportunity shows up, but everyone is looking so good, it almost seems like the best idea is to just draft bigs with potential for the next 5 years, and just be so good that ring chasers hop on the wagon.

[Moranis]

Much closer to what I had thought it would be than many other.

[Kuberski33]

Brad continues to kick butt as a GM. Horford has really surprised me with his consistency. It wasn't too long ago that Philly had no use for him and OKC sent him home, which is kind of mind boggling when you think about it. Al takes care of himself so that bodes well for the team moving forward.

It does seem like Grant may be the odd man out. Brad's pattern has been to try to preemptively act on foundation pieces for the team so the fact that he's letting Grant test restricted free agency may mean he's out of here by the end of the season. 

However as somone else mentioned, playing with Tatum (and hopefully Brown) at this stage has to be enticing to any veteran guys around the league who are looking for a better situation.

[mobilija]

fantastic!!   this was a discount from his current deal that I didn't think we'd get close to.   just need to get Grant squared away now and then work on extending Jaylen after that.

told ya 

In MattyIce I trust
TP

[radiohead]

I remember watching Al being interviewed a couple of games ago, and he said he planned to play two more years in he NBA, and hopefully with the Celtics. A few days later this news comes out. Brad didn’t waste any time!

[mobilija]

Much closer to what I had thought it would be than many other.

[A Future of Stevens]

I said before he left the first time, I hope we were able to allow him to retire a Celtic. Unfortunately the Sixers gave him ludicrous money, but he found his way back here. Love Horford, and for where the money is headed, this is a great deal assuming he doesn't fall off a cliff.

Great move Brad.

[Vermont Green]

This seems like a fair deal all around.  Al is going to make around $20M.  You tend to lose perspective when talking about sports contracts as the numbers are so big.  That is a ton of money.  He will get to play for a likely title contender.  He doesn't have to move again.  This is a good deal for Al.  Maybe he could have gotten $25M or $30M if he went somewhere else, maybe, but what would be the point.

Al is still an injury or general decline risk.  2.6 or so more seasons plus 3 likely long playoff runs is a lot more basketball on his body.  He may be a full time back up before he is done.  That has to be factored into his value.  This seems very fair to both sides.

[Birdman]

Great deal for both parties..

[ozgod]

Wonder how this impacts Grant's value?  Horford at about $10M, RWill at about $12M, Grant at $??M

Are they really going to pay Grant more than either Horford or RWill?

It's really going to come down to market value...Al is on the sunset of his career, GWill is heading into his prime so I could see them paying him more than Al. As for Timelord, GWill has more versatility since he can shoot the 3 and it's a shooter's league now. Less injury worries too.

If you use PJ Tucker as an example of a similar player, he signed a 3-year $33m contract and he's 10 years older than GWill. Or you look at someone like Olynyk, he's at $13m a season...just using that as a basis for comparison I think market value might be around that $10-$15m a season number. Of course they'll try and push it higher

[Birdman]

Is he a Hall of Famer?? Think he’s borderline

[A Future of Stevens]

Is he a Hall of Famer?? Think he’s borderline

I think it comes down to a title. So I agree 100% he's borderline.

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

Much closer to what I had thought it would be than many other.

I’ll give it to you. You’ve been on a cold streak. 

Great deal. He’s been one of my favorite Celtics.

[Donoghus]

Is he a Hall of Famer?? Think he’s borderline

A title would go a long way.  His HOF probability is only about 12%. 

However, you have guys in the HOF with indexes in the 10-15% range like Haywood, King, Maravich, Jones, Webber, & Earl Monroe.

His college career definitely helps bump him and he also has some international team successes with the Dominican Republic.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Whoa! Surprising news (to me, at least), but good news, for sure. I hope he continues his steady play and retires a Celtic.

As for whether he's a HOFer, I don't see him as one. Never had a 20ppg season (18.6 was his best), double-digit rpg only once (and 9.9 another time), never had a run of dominance in any particular area of the game. A very good all-around player, but to me that doesn't equal HOF.