NBA Free Agency: Boston Celtics Signs Al Horford To A $113 Million Deal

Coming into the off season, the Boston Celtics are looking to add a couple superstars to help push their team to the next level. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge made Al Horford one of their main priorities this summer. According to ESPN.com,the former Florida Gators star has come to an agreement with the Celtics.

Al Horford has agreed to terms with Boston Celtics on Saturday night. Some sources are stating that he signed a four year deal worth $113 million. After the third season, he has a player option. Horford will earn around $28 million in his first season with the Celtics.

Al Horford met with the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets and one unknown team. After his first set of meetings, the All Star cut it down to the Celtics, Hawks, and Wizards.

Celtic Pride!!!!!! ??????????????????

— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) July 2, 2016

The Atlanta Hawks committed more than $140 million in salary on Friday. They resigned Kent Bazemore and signed Dwight Howard to huge deals. The Hawks signed Bazemore to a four-year deal worth $70 million. Howard signed a three-year deal worth $70.5 million.

With those two signings, many people believed that Al Horford would be leaving the Atlanta Hawks. The team wanted to keep Horford, as well. They were looking into trading away Paul Millsap to clear up some cap space. The Hawks bumped up their offer for Horford. They offered him a five year deal worth $136 million.

Ultimately, Al Horford decided to leave the Atlanta Hawks to join the Boston Celtics. He announced his decision on Saturday. They picked up an amazing player. Horford averaged 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season.

The Boston Celtics acquired one of the players they been wanting to acquire. Earlier last season, the Celtics were looking to trade for Al Horford at the trade deadline. He is one of the best passing big men in the NBA. The All Star expanded his game last year by adding three point shooting to his arsenal.

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has plenty of money to spend this summer. The Celtics have room for two maximum contract player. They have a lot of draft assets. The Celtics selected Jaylen Brown with the third overall pick in the NBA Draft.

With the addition of Al Horford, the Boston Celtics will turn their full attention to Kevin Durant. They are one of the teams that the former MVP is considering of joining this summer. The Celtics were in a meeting with Durant while Horford announced his decision to join the roster.

Even if the Boston Celtics do not sign Kevin Durant, they improved their team from last season. Al Horford gives them another go to scorer. Last year, the Celtics were very inconsistent on offense. At times, it looked like Isaiah Thomas was the team’s only offensive option.

With the signing of Al Horford, it shows everyone in the NBA that the Boston Celtics are a team on the rise. They made it into the playoffs last year without a superstar. The Celtics have a bunch of scrappy and hungry players who want to win and are willing to do anything to achieve that goal.

The starting lineup for the Boston Celtics could look like this. Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley in the backcourt. Jae Crowder, Jared Sullinger, and Al Horford starting on the front court. That would be a formidable starting lineup in the NBA.

With the addition of Al Horford, some people believe that the Boston Celtics can compete with the Cleveland Cavaliers next season for best in the Eastern Conference. Only time will tell. Horford is a proven star in the NBA.

[Photo by Kevin C Cox/Getty Images]