Al Horford had Houston Rockets as No.2 option in free agency

Al Horford, who left Atlanta Hawks to join the Boston Celtics in free agency this summer, viewed Houston Rockets as his No.2 option during the offseason, according to several reports.

Horford signed a four-year, max contract worth US$113 million (AU$151 million) with the Celtics after meeting with five different teams, including the incumbent Hawks, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta. Horford, the most sought-after free agent in the summer not named Kevin Durant, began his free agency tour with a meeting with the Rockets before sitting down with the Wizards, Pistons, Celtics and Hawks before announcing his decision.

Ahead of the Celtics-Rockets game in Houston on Monday, Horford revealed his thought process during free agency and the reason he viewed Clutch City as a possible destination.

“I really considered coming here (to Houston) as well. Them and Boston and Washington, but especially here and Boston, were probably the two teams I was really, really looking at. So, just a lot to consider. A really good team, but at the end of the day I just felt like I was better off being in Boston," Horford sad, via the Boston Globe.

Al Horford on teaming up with James Harden

Horford said he viewed Rockets as an attractive destination due to the presence of MVP candidate James Harden. This season, Harden is putting up astronomical numbers as the Rockets, under new coach Mike D'Antoni, have got off the gate with a 13-7 record.

“He’s (Harden) just a great player. They (Rockets) have a great organization here and I was very impressed with them…I just think overall, I had a better fit here with the Celtics, with our depth here and coach and just everything. There’s just a lot of things that went into my decision.”

Incidentally, Harden was part of the Houston team that tried to recruit Horford. “I thought we had a chance (of getting Horford). I thought we had a really good chance, but obviously, it didn’t work out, which is fine," Harden said ahead of Monday's game against the visiting Celtics.

On Monday, the Rockets beat the Celtics 107-106 courtesy of a near triple-double performance from Harden, who finished with 37 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Al Horford finished with 21 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds. See final box score on ESPN.