Celtics add Horford’s veteran savvy to youthful core

Veteran center Al Horford agreed to a four-year, $113 million contract with the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.

Horford announced his decision on his Twitter account: “Celtic Pride !!!!!! ” he tweeted, followed by 18 green shamrocks.

Horford, a four-time All-Star, spent his first nine seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. He has career averages of 14.3 points and 7.9 rebounds, and averaged 15.2 points and 7.3 rebounds last season.

Horford was part of a 60-win Atlanta team two seasons ago and is seen as the type of player who can help the Celtics rise to perhaps challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers as the top team in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics won 48 games last season, finishing in a four-way tie for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. They have a strong young core, a highly regarded coach in Brad Stevens and had the money to land a huge free agent.

Also Saturday, the Celtics invited New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to help recruit free-agent star Kevin Durant.

A Snapchat photo of Brady was posted on Reddit’s NBA page on Saturday. It showed Brady walking with Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.

The Celtics were scheduled to meet with Durant on Saturday. Durant, who has starred for the Oklahoma City Thunder, is expected to make a decision in a few days where he will play. In other NBA free-agent moves:

Forward Luol Deng agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Deng had significant discussions with several teams, including the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, before committing to the Lakers. The 31-year-old averaged 12.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 74 games for the Miami Heat last season.

The Houston Rockets reached agreement on a four-year, $80 million deal with forward Ryan Anderson. The 28-year-old averaged 17.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in 66 games for the New Orleans Pelicans last season. Anderson was primarily used off the bench by New Orleans, starting just 48 games in four seasons with the team.

The Rockets agreed with guard Eric Gordon on a four-year, $53 million contract. Last year with the Pelicans, the 27-year-old averaged 16.7 points while playing in only 45 games and battling a fractured finger bone.

Marvin Williams opted to stay with the Charlotte Hornets, agreeing to sign a four-year, $54.5 million deal, which includes a player option for the fourth year. Last year with the Hornets, Williams averaged 11.7 points — his highest scoring average since 2008-09 — and 6.4 rebounds in 81 games

Courtney Lee agreed to a fouryear deal worth $48 million with the New York Knicks. The 30-year-old journeyman guard was convinced to join the Knicks in part by newly signed center Joakim Noah. Between Memphis and Charlotte last season, Lee averaged 9.6 points in 79 games.

Austin Rivers is remaining with the Los Angeles Clippers on a threeyear, $35 million-plus deal. Rivers, the son of Clippers coach and president Doc Rivers, has a player option in the third year. The 23-year-old guard averaged a career-high 8.9 points on 43.8 percent shooting in 67 games last season.

The Sacramento Kings and freeagent guard Arron Afflalo reached an agreement on a two-year deal worth $25 million. The 30-year-old spent last season with the Knicks, averaging 12.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

Guard E’Twaun Moore and the Pelicans agreed to a four-year, $34 million deal. He averaged 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season with the Chicago Bulls.

In other NBA news, the league announced the salary cap for the 201617 season will be $94.143 million. The league also set the tax level for next season at $113.287 million.