Al Horford got an extra $5 million of his $26.5 million salary for next season guaranteed because the Celtics made the NBA Finals. He’d get the final $7 million guaranteed if Boston wins the title.
But his money apparently isn’t on the line against the Warriors.
This definitely makes sense. If losing the Finals, Boston’s choice would be keeping Horford at $26.5 million or paying him $19.5 million to go away (either as a single cap hit next season or stretched into $6.5 million cap hits each of the next three seasons). That’s not enough savings to justify losing a quality contributor.
Horford will turn 36 Friday. At that age, the risk of his performance suddenly slipping is relatively high.
But the Celtics have come far enough with Horford to stick with him next season.
