'The Athletic' put out its list of the players most likely to have their numbers retired, and they were split on Horford.
Earlier this week, 'The Athletic,' put out a list of players it thought would, or might, get their numbers retired by NBA teams.
Of course, there were several obvious ones like Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson for the Golden State Warriors, but there were also some more interesting and speculative choices for various teams.
With regards to the Boston Celtics, the outlet deems that both Jayson Tatum (No. 0) and Jaylen Brown (No. 7) will eventually have their numbers retired by the organization.
I agree with that statement, and I think most people do as well. But one of the more interesting conversation points came with regards to Al Horford, who the group speculated could have his number retired by either the Atlanta Hawks or the Celtics.
The Al Horford file
The former No. 3 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft out of Florida, Horford is a 19-year veteran of the Hawks (9 years), Celtics (7 years), and Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder (one year).
He actually had two separate tenures in Boston, playing with the group from 2016-19 and again from 2021-2025). He was signed as a max contract player the first time around to pair with Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and a young Tatum and Brown, and then he helped Boston make two NBA Finals appearance in his second act.
Boston won the title in 2023-24, marking the 19th title in organization history and the first of Horford's career.
Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) warms up prior to game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesThe case for Horford to have his No. 42 retired
Well, any time you win a title, and get to two Finals, you've endeared yourself to the fanbase. Horford was a champion, and he was durable, playing 60 games or more in every season with Boston. He averaged 11.2 ppg and 6.8 rebounds per game with the Celtics, and he finished in the Top-10 in Defensive Player of the Year voting twice. He was an All-Star in 2017-18.
The case against
Hey, I think a player can have his uniform retired by two teams, but when I think of Horford, I think of a Hawk. Sorry, I just do. He finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting in Atlanta while also making four All-Star teams. He averaged 14.3 ppg and was an All-NBA selection once.
The Hawks don't have as rich a history as the Celtics do, so I think Horford belongs in their rafters. I don't think be belongs in the Celtics.
