The Celtics could lose Al Horford to free agency or retirement this offseason. His teammates want neither to happen.

Contention next season is unlikely in such a context, especially if the team decides to move on from players like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, two of the more frequently floated targets for Boston to trade in order to address their historically large salary and tax bill next season -- and the penalties that will incur for the Celtics.

Payton Pritchard has opened up about Al Horford’s future with the Boston Celtics following the team’s exit at the hands of New York Knicks.