Al Horford’s Celtics Legacy: Number Retirement Debate

The Boston Celtics have moved on from Al Horford as the 18-year veteran chose to team up with the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, a move many anticipated. With the Celtics aiming for a fresh start following a disappointing conclusion to the 2024-25 season, Horford is set to contribute his skills to the West Coast in pursuit of a championship. 

Horford shared a farewell message to the Boston community on social media in the past month. 

“Since our arrival, my family and I have felt incredibly welcomed,” Horford expressed. “This part of my career will always hold a special place in my memories. Winning Banner 18 with the city is a moment I will forever hold dear. I am eternally grateful for the support of the fans and the organization. Thank you, Boston.”

Sean Grande, the familiar voice of the Celtics on the radio, responded to Horford’s announcement with a statement of his own: “The possibility of retiring number 42 is definitely on the table.” 

Grande then clarified with an additional comment: “For those finding reading challenging … seemingly a growing number … the retirement of Al Horford’s number is absolutely A POSSIBILITY … you’re out of touch with the Celtics if you think otherwise. If you interpret that as a definite plan, your reading skills need improvement.”

Grande’s deep understanding of the Celtics and their history is undeniable. His suggestion that Horford might have his number retired warrants attention. Therefore, let’s delve into Horford’s achievements. Does he merit inclusion among the legendary figures honored in TD Garden’s rafters?

Horford’s time with the Celtics

During the transformative summer of 2016, Horford departed from the Hawks, who selected him as the No. 3 pick in the 2007 draft, and joined the Celtics as a free agent. His acquisition, marked by a four-year, $113 million contract, signified a new chapter for the Celtics. 

In Horford’s debut season, he played a pivotal role in Boston’s 53-win season and their journey to the Eastern Conference finals. While not considered top contenders that year, they secured their first playoff series victory since the era of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, solidifying their status as a leading franchise. 

The following summer, the Celtics drafted Jayson Tatum, signed Gordon Hayward as a free agent, and traded Isaiah Thomas for Kyrie Irving. Despite the mixed outcomes of Hayward and Irving’s tenures in Boston, these strategic moves, which shaped the Celtics’ current direction, were contingent on Horford’s presence. 

Horford earned an All-Star selection in 2018, secured a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team, and ranked fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting as the Celtics achieved 55 wins and challenged the Cleveland Cavaliers in a seven-game Eastern Conference finals series. He arguably performed even better in 2019, though he did not receive the same recognition, and the Celtics faced an early playoff exit in the second round, largely due to underwhelming performances from Irving and Hayward against the Milwaukee Bucks.

In the summer of 2019, Horford surprised many in Boston by opting out of the final year of his contract and joining the Celtics’ rival, the Philadelphia 76ers, who offered him a four-year, $109 million deal as a free agent. 

After two years, marked by an unsuccessful stint in Philadelphia and a season in Oklahoma City, Brad Stevens, having transitioned from coaching to the Celtics’ front office, orchestrated a trade to bring Horford back to Boston. As Horford approached his 35th birthday, the move was aimed at relieving Kemba Walker’s contract to improve financial flexibility and leveraging Horford’s enduring capabilities. 

Horford showed he still had a lot to offer. 

In 2021, the Celtics achieved a .500 record and were eliminated in the first round. In 2022, during Horford’s return season, the team secured 51 wins and reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. Despite losing to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics demonstrated their potential as championship contenders. Horford, who received votes for Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, delivered exceptional performances during the postseason. 

Horford maintained his role as the starting center in 2023, contributing to the Celtics’ 57-win season and their return to the Eastern Conference finals. However, their aspirations of reaching the Finals were dashed in a dramatic series against the Miami Heat, where they fell behind 3-0, rallied to win the next three games to force a Game 7, and then suffered a significant loss at home after Tatum injured his ankle early in the game. 

Leading up to the 2024 season, the Celtics executed two significant trades to bolster their chances of winning a championship. They acquired Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, with the latter initially taking Horford’s place in the starting lineup. Horford started in 33 regular-season games, and following Porziņģis’ calf strain in the first round of the playoffs, he started for the remainder of the postseason. The Celtics ultimately secured Banner 18 with Horford as a starter, claiming their first title since 2008 and Horford’s first championship. 

However, the Celtics’ attempt to defend their title in 2025 did not go as planned. Horford, who once again started the majority of games—both in the regular season and the playoffs—in place of Porziņģis, showed a decline in his performance during his age-38 season. Tatum suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the team’s second-round series against the New York Knicks, which they subsequently lost in six games. 

If Tatum had remained healthy, Horford would have likely concluded his career as a Celtic. Instead, he departed from the team as a free agent for the second time. While Horford’s decision is understandable—given the Celtics’ anticipated struggles this season and his limited remaining years—his departure does slightly complicate his legacy with the franchise. 

Nonetheless, Horford will be fondly remembered in Boston. He played a key role in restoring the organization’s credibility, mentored Tatum and Brown in professional conduct, and was a crucial part of a successful era in franchise history. He was the consummate teammate, cherished in the locker room and the community, and a champion. 

This quote from Tatum in 2022 best encapsulates Horford’s impact: 

“Al is undoubtedly one of the best teammates I’ve ever had, at any level,” Tatum stated. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without Al Horford.”

Horford’s Celtics record

• 7 seasons
• 7 playoff appearances
• 1 championship
• 2 Finals appearances
• 5 Eastern Conference finals appearances
• 72 playoff wins
• 1 All-Star appearance
• 1 All-Defensive Second Team
• Regular season averages of 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks, with shooting splits of 48.4/38.8/81.5
• Playoff averages of 11.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks, with shooting splits of 50.0/39.9/79.4

Comparison of Horford’s record to Celtics legends

The Celtics have retired 24 numbers, more than any other team, although only 22 represent players, and 23 are actual numbers.  

• 00: Robert Parish
• 1: Walter Brown (owner)
• 2: Red Auerbach (coach, general manager, president)
• 3: Dennis Johnson
• 5: Kevin Garnett
• 6: Bill Russell
• 10: JoJo White
• 14: Bob Cousy
• 15: Tommy Heinsohn
• 16: Tom “Satch” Sanders
• 17: John Havlicek
• 18: Dave Cowens
• 19: Don Nelson
• 21: Bill Sharman
• 22: Ed Macauley
• 23: Frank Ramsey
• 24: Sam Jones
• 25: KC Jones
• 31: Cedric Maxwell
• 32: Kevin McHale
• 33: Larry Bird
• 34: Paul Pierce
• 35: Reggie Lewis
• LOSCY: Jim Loscutoff

A review of each player on the list is not needed. 

Horford’s Celtics legacy certainly does not equate to that of inner-circle Hall of Famers like Russell, Cousy, Bird, Cowens, and Havlicek. He also does not possess the numerous championships or long-term commitment of franchise icons such as Heinsohn, Johnson, the Joneses, Loscutoff, Macauley, McHale, Nelson, Ramsey, Sanders, Sharman, Parish, Pierce, and White. Tragically, Lewis’ number was retired following his untimely death due to a heart ailment early in his promising career. 

Garnett and Maxwell serve as the closest comparisons to Horford. A more detailed look at their time with the Celtics will show how Horford measures up. 

Is number retirement appropriate for Horford?

Horford’s on-court abilities may not have matched Garnett’s level, and he lacks the Finals MVP award that Maxwell earned. However, he has participated in more playoff runs and secured more playoff victories than either of them and is among the leaders in Eastern Conference finals appearances. In fact, Horford’s 72 playoff wins rank among the highest in franchise history.

If Horford had remained with the Celtics until retirement, he would have improved his chances of having his number retired. However, his departure was not acrimonious like Ray Allen’s exit. Notably, Allen is the only member of the Big Three from the 2008 championship team whose number is not displayed in the rafters. Like Horford, Tatum, and Brown, that group only captured one title. 

Notably, the Celtics have transitioned to new ownership. Bill Chisholm, who officially assumed control earlier this year, has repeatedly emphasized his genuine passion for the team. The Massachusetts native mentioned at his introductory press conference last month that he and his wife have “nurtured a family of devoted Celtics enthusiasts.” Chisholm’s understanding of Horford’s impact on the franchise is complete. 

In consideration of Horford’s accomplishments, contributions to the franchise, and rapport with the city and fanbase, his No. 42 deserves to be retired after he finishes playing.