On June 18, 2021, the Boston Celtics made a trade that sent Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Al Horford.
Horford joined the Celtics in 2016 after spending three years with the Atlanta Hawks.
Horford signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019 before being dealt to the Thunder a little more than a year later.
Re-acquiring Horford was former head coach Brad Stevens’ first move as the Celtics’ president of basketball operations. So, how is this trade holding up two years later?
Boston Celtics Trade Throwback #3: Al Horford Returns to Boston
Full Trade Details
Boston Celtics receive: PF/C Al Horford, C Moses Brown, and a 2023 second-round pick (pick was used to select PG Amari Bailey)
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: PG Kemba Walker, a 2021 first-round pick (pick was used to select C Alperen Şengün), and a 2025 second-round pick
Why the Boston Celtics Made the Trade
The 2020-21 season was a bit of a disappointment for the Celtics.
Re-acquiring Horford was former head coach Brad Stevens’ first move as president of basketball operations for the Celtics. So how does this trade age two years later?
Boston Celtics Trade Throwback #3: Al Horford Returns to Boston
Full Trade Details
Boston Celtics receive: PF/C Al Horford, C Moses Brown, and a 2023 second-round pick (pick was used to select PG Amari Bailey)
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: PG Kemba Walker, a 2021 first-round pick (pick was used to select C Alperen Şengün), and a 2025 second-round pick
Why the Boston Celtics Made the Trade
The 2020-21 season was a bit of a disappointment for the Celtics.
After finishing the year 36-36, the Celtics lost to the Brooklyn Nets in 5 games during the first round.
Over time, it became clear that Walker wasn’t a long-term option next to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. If the Celtics wanted to become immediate contenders again, they needed to shake things up. Walker just so happened to be the odd man out.
The problem is that Walker’s contract was way too expensive to be appealing to the average team. He had a hard time staying on the court and was clearly on the wrong side of his prime.
In order to trade Walker’s contract, the Celtics needed to take on another big contract in return and add a sweetener.
Additionally, before the trade for the then 35-year-old Horford, the oldest player on the Celtics who wasn’t Walker was Tristan Thompson at 29 years old (although, it should be noted that Thompson was traded a few months later to the Sacramento Kings).
The Celtics needed a veteran who could also be a locker room guy. And with Horford having a successful first stint with the team and being former teammates with a few players on the roster, he became the obvious trade target.
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