Each NBA team’s greatest free agent signing in franchise history

Boston Celtics: Al Horford, Center (2016-Present)

Throughout their elusive history in the NBA, the Boston Celtics have never been ones to go big-game hunting in free agency. Having happened upon some of the true legends of the game through intellectual drafting and savvy trades, they’ve won 17 championships on the backbone of their internal development of such players.

In the summer of 2016, however, things were different. Every team was flushed with extra money to spend in free agency thanks to a new television deal. In taking advantage of this unique circumstance, the Celtics managed to sign Al Horford to a four-year, $113 million deal, a transaction that was met with rave reviews for very good reasons.

Horford had developed into an All-Star-level player during his days with the Atlanta Hawks. Not a traditional star, Horford sprinkled in contributions across the board, where he could score and facilitate, as well as defend multiple positions on the other end of the floor.

Through three seasons with the Celtics, he’s averaged just 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, numbers one wouldn’t typically expect from a five-time NBA All-Star. They are complimented, however, with a 38.2 3-point percentage, along with 4.6 assists a night and a spot on the 2017-18 NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

His first two seasons in Beantown would directly coincide with back-to-back appearances in the conference finals by the Celtics for the first time since the 2011-12 NBA season. Horford’s numbers were respectable, but the film showed him frustrate centers bigger than him and make plays from every spot on the court with his vision.

Horford plans to opt out of his current deal to explore other options as an unrestricted free agent this summer. If the Celtics were smart, they’d do everything possible to bring back a player whose immense value is fully known only to those who pay attention.