Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said it’s “highly unlikely” that the 39-year-old center will return to Boston when asked at a Tuesday press conference.

Al Horford is set to enter his 19th season in the NBA next season. For the last four seasons, he has been playing for the Boston Celtics, where he has achieved great success, including winning the NBA Championship in 2024, the first of his career. Last season with the Celtics, Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

The Celtics have lost several key players from their 2024 championship core this offseason. Al Horford was expected to join the list of players who were traded/signed elsewhere, but recently was predicted to possibly return to Boston, after it seemed unlikely for weeks.

As Boston readies for a reset year following Jayson Tatum’s season-ending Achilles tear, Horford is destined to be on the move ... unless he decides to retire. Horford is contemplating retirement, according to the Boston Globe.

Horford is reportedly considering offers from the Warriors and Lakers, while the Nuggets are also rumored to have interest. His departure would represent another hit to the Celtics’ frontcourt, which has already lost Kornet to San Antonio in free agency and Kristaps Porzingis via trade.

BOSTON — While acknowledging the benefit of potentially escaping the luxury tax next season, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens suggested Tuesday that no further trades are imminent and the Celtics could be done with significant changes this offseason.

Also, the Warriors have a decision to make about Gary Payton II. At the center position, Al Horford has been rumored to be th