Celtics champion Knicks' "Incredible Fit"

The Celtics Championship title against the Knicks’ title “incredible fit” originally appeared in ASloan Sports.

Entering the 2024-25 NBA season, almost any reasonable Knicks fan will win over 50 wins in the regular season, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, and not being eliminated until his successful season in Gotham on May 31.

However, with the Knicks being eliminated by the fourth-seed Pacers, the team is definitely a long-term team this season, so it's hard not to see the opportunity New York has encountered. After all, the team led by 14 points, less than five minutes in Game 1, let alone a nine-point lead.

Entering the offseason, the question involving the Knicks is whether the team should consider drastic changes, such as chasing the Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in the trade market, and even replacing coach Tom Thibodeau.

Karl-Anthony Towns (32) at the New York Knicks Center and Al Horford (42) worked for the ball in the fourth quarter of the 2025 NBA Playoffs second round game at TD Garden in the fourth quarter. Mandatory Credit and Colon; David Butler ii-imagn Image

It's impossible. What we might see from the Knicks is some fixes around the edge, especially in the frontcourt, where the lack of depth in the center proves to be expensive.

For ESPN's Tim Bontemps, a name stands out, potentially 2025-26 Knicks addition: Celtic big man Al Horford.

"Al Horford is a free agent." Bontemps says we "Basketball set" podcast. "I don't think it makes sense for Al Horford to return to Boston at this point. Maybe he will. But given the Celtics’ situation, I think he’s playing much more than a month ago. Al Horford is a long-time friend of Karl Towns and has played for the Dominican national team for a long time - if they go to him this summer, I think it would be an incredible fit on this roster. …

"They have Al Horford, another Ballhandler, Deuce McBride and Mitchell Robinson benches, paired with their starting five, which is a better team. This is a team that could beat the Pacers next year."

Now, Horford will retire in the offseason and he may not want to leave Boston if he plays.

But Horford turned 39 this year. If he intends to play, he will want to win, and Jayson Tatum may be the entire 2025-26 season, which won't be with the Celtics.

Can I be with the Knicks? Assuming Horford is willing to sign a moderate contract and considering his ancestry as the 2024 NBA champion, his health does make sense.

This story was first appeared on June 2, 2025 by Athlon Sports.