Following their most successful season in a quarter-century, the New York Knicks are poised to make a bold move in the 2025 free agency by targeting a key veteran from their arch-rivals, the Boston Celtics. Fresh off a 51-31 campaign that saw them finish third in the Eastern Conference and upset the defending NBA champion Celtics to reach their first conference finals since 2000, the Knicks are looking to bolster their roster. However, their six-game loss to the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers (50-32) in the Eastern Conference Finals exposed a lack of bench depth and offensive firepower, prompting New York to explore impactful additions this offseason.
Knicks Eye Al Horford as a Free Agency Target
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps on “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective,” the Knicks could set their sights on Boston’s veteran big man Al Horford. The 39-year-old, five-time All-Star is coming off a two-year, $19.5 million contract with the Celtics, earning $9.5 million this season while securing his first championship in his 18-year career. With Boston facing uncertainty due to superstar Jayson Tatum’s right Achilles injury, which could hinder their 2025-26 season, Horford’s future with the Celtics is in question.
“Al Horford is a free agent,” Bontemps said. “I don’t think, at this point, it makes a lot of sense for Horford to be back in Boston. Maybe he will be, but given where things are with the Celtics, I think he’s now much more in play than he might have been a month ago.”
Bontemps highlighted Horford’s longstanding friendship with Knicks star center Karl-Anthony Towns as a potential factor in luring him to New York. “Horford is a longtime friend of Karl-Anthony Towns and has played with him with the Dominican national team for a long time,” he noted. This connection could make the Knicks an attractive destination for Horford as he considers his next move.
Horford’s Fit with the Knicks
Despite being past his prime, Horford remains a valuable asset, offering veteran leadership, floor spacing, and versatility to New York’s frontcourt. In the 2024-25 season, Horford appeared in 60 games, averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 1.9 three-pointers per game. His shooting splits—42.3% from the field, 36.3% from beyond the arc, and 89.5% from the free-throw line—demonstrate his ability to stretch the floor, a skill that could complement Towns in double-big lineups or provide a different dynamic compared to rim-protecting center Mitchell Robinson.
Horford’s experience and championship pedigree could address the Knicks’ need for a seasoned presence off the bench. His ability to space the floor and defend multiple positions would give coach Tom Thibodeau additional flexibility in constructing lineups to compete in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
A Move to Push New York Over the Top
Bontemps believes Horford could be the missing piece to elevate the Knicks past their recent postseason shortcomings. “If they go get Al Horford this summer, … I think (he) would be an unbelievable fit on this Knicks roster,” Bontemps said. “… That’s a team that could beat the Pacers next year. That’s a team that’ll be in the mix in the East.”
With Boston potentially taking a step back due to Tatum’s injury, the Eastern Conference is projected to be highly competitive in 2025-26. The Knicks, led by All-Star guard Jalen Brunson and bolstered by Towns, are well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity. Adding a proven veteran like Horford, who may be open to signing at a discount to chase a second title, could provide the depth and intangibles needed to secure New York’s first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
As the Knicks look to build on their recent success, landing Horford from their rivals would not only strengthen their roster but also deliver a psychological blow to Boston. With free agency looming, New York’s front office has a chance to pull off a stunning heist that could reshape the Eastern Conference landscape.