Al Horford Officially Signing With The Golden State Warriors Is The Final Twist Of The Knife In What Has Been A Celtics Offseason From Hell

Adam Glanzman. Getty Images.

Early in the NBA offseason, it was reported that Al Horford was planning to join the Golden State Warriors as soon as free agency opened. Then, once that happened and he remained unsigned, it made you wonder if something had changed, or if the sourcing on that initial report was spotty. The Celtics were in the process of tearing their roster apart, so on some level, we knew it would be a stretch for Al to actually return, but the longer things went on, the more you could talk yourself into some sort of prayer taking place.

Then we learned that the Jonathan Kuminga situation was holding up everything with the Warriors, and that the actual signing/paperwork/announcement wouldn't be coming until that whole thing was figured out. So, even though we didn't have an official Shams bomb at the time of free agency, most Celts fans have gone through this entire offseason understanding that the Al Horford Experience as a Celtic was over. 

With training camps opening tomorrow, the Shams bomb we always knew was coming finally arrived

Even though I've known this tweet was coming for months, that doesn't mean it still doesn't sting. It's not like this was a shock or surprising Shams bomb since this has essentially been a done deal since July, but to me, it's the final twist of the knife in what has been a Celtics offseason from hell. 

It's a bit of a weird situation. On one hand, this is the second time we've seen Al bounce when things appeared to get pretty ugly. The first time, it was to take a massive offer from the Sixers after Kyrie dipped which was awkward as hell, but eventually we learned Al was actually operating as a secret sleeper cell who was put there to destroy the Process from within, which he did. It's no surprise that the second Al got out of Philly, he got back to being the Al Horford that we know and love. Plus Brad Stevens brought him back and it was as if he never left, so that definitely helped as well.

This time, at 39 years old, I think it's fair that Al Horford is able to decide to do whatever the hell he wants. He helped this team deliver a ring. We all know the Celts situation this year and what an uphill and unlikely climb it will be to get into contention, and with only a limited amount of seasons left in his body, I don't fault Al for looking around. Not only that, but I imagine he's getting full MLE money, which the Celts couldn't really offer. Horford has done so much for the fanbase and this franchise, he's earned the right to do whatever the hell he wants.

At the same time, this recent departure has me bummed. No two ways about it. I'm bummed Al won't be there to go through this battle with Jaylen/Derrick/Payton etc. I'm bummed he'd rather roll the dice with the Warriors, a team that has its own question marks when it comes to title contention. He'll be awesome there, because it's Al Horford. Every Warriors fan will love him, because he's basically the perfect basketball player. As someone who believes Horford still has at least 2 years left in the tank, he still has plenty to give that Warriors team on both ends of the floor.

Al Horford was the biggest free agent signing of my lifetime when he first came over from the Hawks. The Celtics simply did not land max free agents no matter how hard they tried, until Al. Once a Celtic, few players embraced everything it meant to be a Celtic in every way imaginable quite like Al. Not just in terms of understanding the history and embracing the city, but also showing up in huge ways in huge moments on the court. Horford delivered in both of those areas and then some, which to me makes him a Celtics legend for life. I will never, ever, ever forget this moment

The fact that this moment exists for the rest of time means something to me, man

Boston Globe. Getty Images.

At the same time, I can understand why some fans might be a little pissed about this move and have a bad taste in their mouths. I get it, and if that's how you feel, then that's how you feel. He had the option to stay, and chose not to. That's always going to rub some people the wrong way, but I just can't get there myself. I'm bummed. I hate this new reality as much as anyone, but I have no ill will towards Al. He's given me too much. As long as we all understand that second year is a player option and he'll opt out and return once Jayson Tatum is back

then I say go out and enjoy your "gap year". 

Like I said, we knew all this was coming for a while now, so I think that allowed me to go through each stage of grief so that I have now reached the acceptance stage. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but it is what it is.

Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, Jayson Tatum (for now), and finally, Al Horford. 

That's 5 of the Celts' top 9 rotation last year, all gone (Tatum return TBD). That's the thing about this new CBA world, you better enjoy that shit while you have it because the next thing you know, you blink and a guy who you thought might walk off into the sunset as a Celtic is now about to try and help Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler win a ring. 

Life sure does come at you fast.