Odds Say Neither Kyrie Irving or Al Horford Will Be a Celtic in 2019-20 Season

• Kyrie Irving has been a Celtic for two years, but his time in Boston could be coming to an end
• Al Horford has spent three seasons in Boston after coming over from Atlanta
• Will either be back next season?

The Boston Celtics were officially eliminated from the 2019 NBA Playoffs last night in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Although Boston had success this season, the major question entering free agency is will Kyrie Irving and Al Horford be back next year?

Both Irving and Horford could be free agents, and are arguably two of the most important players on the team. Irving averaged 23.8 points per game in the regular season while Horford posted 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

Will Al Horford Be on the Celtics for Game 1 of the 2019-20 Season?

*All odds taken 05/09/19

Al Horford could be an impending free agent and there will no doubt be suitors for his services. Among centers this year he was 13th in scoring and proved he can still be an effective shooter as he shot 53.5% from the field and 36% from three. He is only 32 years old and should remain effective for the next couple of seasons.

Although the focus of the Celtics’ offseason will no doubt be on Irving’s free agency, as it should be, Horford should remain a focus and I see them re-signing him. Horford has spoken openly about his future and is adamant he wants to remain in Boston.

However, Horford will no doubt want to try and win a championship, so the Celtics’ front office has to prove to the big man that they are serious about winning it all. If Irving leaves, they need to bring in other pieces.

In the end, I am rather certain the big man will be back in Boston next season, as I see opting-out of his contract and then re-signing on a three or four-year deal. So yes, there is value on Horford to re-sign with Boston.

Pick: Yes (+100)

Which Team Will Sign Kyrie Irving This Summer?

This one is much harder to pick, as there is a ton of superstar free agents this offseason that may sign before Kyrie Irving and limit his options. Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard are the main two. Rumors have Leonard off to the Clippers and Durant to the Knicks.

Whoever signs Irving will add one of the best point guards in the league. Over the last two seasons he averaged 24.1 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field and 40.4% from three.

Irving is a top-20 and possibly top-10 player in the NBA and will be sought after this offseason. But, as many expect other superstars like Leonard to choose between the Clippers and Raptors, no one truly knows where Irving will go.

Although I don’t think he will be back in Boston, he has several options for where he will play next. The Brooklyn Nets have been rumored to be the frontrunners before, while the possibility of reuniting with LeBron James as a Laker could happen. And, if Irving wants to win another championship, he could wait to see where Durant and Leonard go and team up with them.

If Irving wants to win another championship, he could wait to see where Durant and Leonard go and team up with them.

Ultimately, there have been little to no leaks of where Irving is thinking of going, and I expect that to remain until he agrees to a contract. There is no question he will get a max contract and I think he will sign that with the New York Knicks and team up with Durant. With the Knicks, he can once again play on a historic team in a historic building and try and bring a championship back to New York.

Pick: New York Knicks (+200)