Al Horford Opts Out of Contract

Al Horford is officially a free agent.

The Boston Celtics center will not exercise his $30.1 million option for the 2019-20 season and will become an unrestricted free agent, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Boston Celtics center Al Horford will not exercise the $30.1M option on his 2019-20 contract and become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell ESPN. Horford and the Celtics both have interest in working toward a new deal in July, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2019

Horford has spent the last three seasons with the Celtics after signing with the franchise in 2016. He earned an All-Star nod in his second season with the Celtics and played a critical role in their consecutive runs to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017 and 2018.

Horford declined his $30.1 million player option. (AP Photo)

Before joining Boston, Horford played the first nine years of his career with the Atlanta Hawks, attaining four All-Star selections.

Reports initially claimed that the 33-year-old five-time All-Star was interested in returning to Boston on a new contract. Horford could help Boston's salary-cap flexibility by inking a new, less expensive deal. However, according to Wojnarowski, the two sides could not come to an agreement and Horford is now expected to leave the Celtics and find a new home in free agency. 

Horford averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 blocks in 29 minutes per contest last season.