LISTEN LIVE

Report: Al Horford agrees to four-year, $109 million deal with 76ers

Al Horford isn’t just leaving the Celtics. He’s leaving them for a top conference rival in the Sixers.

Oct 16, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) reacts during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports

By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com

Al Horford isn't just leaving the Celtics, he's jumping right to a top conference rival. The veteran big man has agreed to a four-year, $109 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Horford played three seasons with the Celtics, averaging 13.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 208 games.

The 33-year-old joins a Sixers frontcourt that already includes All-Star center Joel Embiid. Philly is also keeping forward Tobias Harris on a five-year, $180 million deal, and reportedly working with agent Rich Paul on a contract extension for guard Ben Simmons. Adding to a very busy, franchise-altering day for the 76ers, they're also sending Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade that will send Josh Richardson to Philadelphia.

So the Sixers are currently looking at a starting five of Simmons, Richardson, Harris, Horford, and Embiid. That should easily make them a top contender in the Eastern Conference once again. And at the same time, they keep Horford from potentially returning to the Celtics, who now have to look elsewhere for a big man.

Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.

Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.