The Boston Celtics signed one of the most coveted NBA free agents this summer by landing All-Star power forward/center Al Horford.
The former No. 3 overall draft pick could become the type of player who attracts other stars to Boston as it builds around a core that also includes All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas.
Former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers echoed this sentiment earlier in the week at the ABCD “Hoop Dreams” program.
Doc Rivers on the potential impact of the Celtics signing Al Horford: pic.twitter.com/WYA91asqzT
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) September 7, 2016
Once the Celtics traded for Ray Allen at the 2007 NBA Draft, Kevin Garnett suddenly was willing to come to Boston. The Celtics paired those two stars with Paul Pierce in August of that year, giving Boston a winning roster that ultimately claimed an NBA championship 10 months later.
The Celtics’ ability to attract another superstar is even greater in 2016 than it was in 2007 based on the abundance of young talent already on the roster, the team’s treasure chest of quality draft picks and salary cap space.
They just need Thomas and Horford to show the rest of the league that this team is capable of competing against the best in the Eastern Conference, which at the moment is the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
Thumbnail photo via Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports Images
