Celtics Sign Big Man To Contract Extension

The second marriage of the Boston Celtics and Al Horford has been an overwhelming success, so much so that they've eliminated any chance of him becoming a free agent after the season by agreeing on a team-friendly two-year contract extension.

Boston Celtics center Al Horford has agreed on a two-year, $20 million contract extension that ties him to the franchise through his 39th birthday, his agent Jason Glushon of @GlushonSM tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/10v0FHqIIU

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 1, 2022

It's a two-year, $20M extension that will keep Horford in Boston through age 39. He's currently in the final year of a 4-year, $109M deal that he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019; it was set to pay him $26.5M this season.  

Al Horford's contract for this season will now become fully guaranteed at $26.5M. That was going to happen, extension or not.

That makes him on an essentially 3-year, $46.5M deal. $15M per year for Horford's production is more than fair for Boston. Great work to get this done.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 1, 2022

Since coming back to Boston for his second go-round in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder before last season, Horford has been a rock up front for the defending Eastern Conference champs. He’s shooting a career-high 48.8% from downtown this year while averaging 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds. 

In his 15-year career, the 36-year-old has averaged 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists, while shooting 36.6% from three, and providing solid interior defense. 

Photo: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports