Boston Celtics followers realized on Tuesday morning that Jeff Van Gundy can be leaving his position as a marketing consultant to president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens.
Celtics proprietor Wyc Grousbeck confirmed on Tuesday, nonetheless, that one of many group’s largest contributors on the courtroom might be again for the 2024-25 season.
“Al (Horford) is coming again for subsequent yr. That is what I have been instructed. Age 38, which is unbelievable,” Grousbeck stated. “We have some guys who’re getting up there slightly bit, however principally, we’re a younger group. Most of our gamers are 30 or youthful and that’s unhealthy information for everyone else hopefully.”
The five-time All-Star heart simply completed his seventeenth season and has performed in over 1,200 profession video games (together with the playoffs). Earlier than Monday, Horford had been second solely to Corridor of Famer Karl Malone in NBA historical past for many video games performed with out a championship.
Whilst he approaches 40, Horford remains to be enjoying at a excessive stage and proved that once more in the course of the 2023-24 marketing campaign.
The Florida product sacrificed his position as a career-long starter this winter as Kristaps Porzingis performed his first season in Boston. Then when the Latvian received injured within the playoffs, Horford stepped again into the beginning lineup and got here up large.
Horford reentered the primary 5 on the ground after Porzingis suffered a right-calf harm throughout Recreation 4 of the group’s first-round sequence towards the Miami Warmth. Porzingis was then sidelined for over a month, masking 10 video games and together with the complete second and third rounds towards the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, respectively.
Horford had a number of clutch efforts together with his fellow large man on the bench, averaging 12.8 factors and seven.3 rebounds throughout the Celtics’ four-game sweep of the Pacers within the Japanese Convention Finals.
He then posted 7.0 factors, 6.2 rebounds and a pair of.6 assists whereas going 13-of-25 (8-of-17 on three-pointers) throughout the 5 contests within the NBA Finals.
Horford will not be racking up double-doubles like he did in his prime, however he’s nonetheless an important member of the Celtics.
