As the Warriors‘ standoff with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga extends into late August, the team remains “very confident” about its ability to eventually sign free agent center Al Horford, Jake Fischer said in his latest Bleacher Report live stream on Wednesday (YouTube link; hat tip to Dallas Hoops Journal).
As Fischer outlines, Horford is among several veteran free agents who have expressed a willingness to be patient in waiting for resolution on Kuminga and have been “in full communication” with the Warriors’ front office.
Pointing to veterans like De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, Seth Curry, and perhaps even Malcolm Brogdon as candidates to end up in Golden State, Fischer suggests that those players would likely receive minimum-salary contracts if they sign with the Warriors, whereas Horford would probably be in line for a more lucrative deal.
“Al Horford’s situation is a bit different,” Fischer said. “Because, depending on where the Warriors land in a cap/tax situation, I believe he is slated to make upwards of the full taxpayer mid-level exception. There has also been some discussion about whether or not he could potentially be receiving a two-year deal with a player option as well.”
Fischer adds that the Warriors envision Horford having a “pretty major role” in their rotation. That lines up with previous reporting from ESPN’s Anthony Slater, who has indicated that the 40-year-old would likely slot in as the team’s starting center.
Using any portion of the mid-level exception would hard-cap the Warriors at the second tax apron — that could put them at risk of losing Kuminga, since a rival suitor could look to open up cap room to sign the RFA forward to an offer sheet Golden State wouldn’t be able to match. As a result, the Warriors are putting off the rest of their offseason business until they either re-sign or sign-and-trade Kuminga and have a clearer picture of their cap situation.
Depending on what happens with Kuminga, the Warriors should have either the taxpayer or even a portion of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception available to them.
For instance, if Kuminga accepts the rumored two-year, $45MM offer Golden State has put on the table, the club would be roughly $14.9MM below the second apron with 10 players under contract and would have the ability to offer Horford the full $5.7MM taxpayer mid-level exception while still filling out the rest of its roster with minimum-salary players.
If Kuminga were to sign his $7.98MM qualifying offer, Golden State would have about $17MM in breathing room below the first apron and could theoretically go a little above the taxpayer portion of the MLE to sign Horford. But that would result in a first-apron hard cap, which the front office may look to avoid.
Fischer warns that Kuminga’s free agency may remain unresolved well into September, since the deadline to accept his qualifying offer won’t arrive until October 1.
Oh now I understand why big Al will move across the country to be on a good but not great team. Figured he was ganna be on a much smaller deal and it never made much sense to me. 25mil would keep me out of retirement as well.
What did I miss? Where are you reading 25 million for Al Horford?
Oh I misread it. I thought it said FULL midlevel (14mil) for potentially 2 years. It was FULL TAXPAYER midlevel (5.7mil) for potentially 2 years. So now I am back to being confused as to why Al is going to San Fran. Guess he just wants to hang out with a bunch of players his own age.
Yeah, I guess it comes down to his options? You would think he would have quite a few, but I guess there could be something behind the scenes as far as recruiting big Al to SF ?
I don’t know this, but perhaps just as Andre Iguodala has benefited from business opportunities in the Bay Area, it could be career direction, post basketball for Horford ? Who knows.
Purely basketball reasons are unclear to me that’s for sure.
As far as an opportunity to win a ring, it seems like only young teams are locks to be competitive so choosing an older team you might have to go with the Warriors as your only option?
Who am I missing as an older team who needs a big man for 30+ minutes and 50 games plus playoffs? There’s probably an obvious team or two I’m overlooking.
Well Denver jumps to mind. He could play the 4, Gordon slides to 3, Johnson to the 2. That sounds like a pretty devastating line-up. The clippers need front court depth and have salary space. There is that other LA team, but NFW.
So yeah I guess the choices are limited. But is taking the minimum in boston really that much worse than Golden state? Guess so.
I think big Al tried playing the four with Joel Embiid and it didn’t work out. But yup, Denver definitely could use him even though they have the Joker at the five.
My guess is that it’s a punt year in Boston unless they catch lightning in a bottle. That’s possible because I really like Derek White’s game and Jaylen Brown is capable of carrying a team in my opinion. Pritchard has stepped up as well.
Clips have Zubac so I think the attraction with the Warriors is that they really need him and he’ll have massive impact for them. He won’t be an “additional” big man like with other squads. He’ll be the ONLY big man lol
The ONLY big man? What am I, chopped liver?
– Signed, Quentin Post
He is going to be a big part of rotation. A rotation that needs him, his size and game. He is at end of career. Always good to feel wanted. No one is paying him 5.7 mill a year at this point. Why wouldn’t he go to a contender that fits his game.
Feels like warriors gonna be racked w injuries all year
Definitely a possibility when the average age is senior citizen qualified.
As long as it isn’t Curry. If Curry was healthy vs T-wolves they could have won that series.
arc.., stop with the “IF.”
There is no “if.”
Besides that, the Warriors have been the beneficiaries of a lot of IF’s the last 15 years and four championships.
If Chris Paul, if Ja Morant, etc.
No “if.”
Every team has a lot of ifs every year they win a championship. Curry is so valuable to warriors playoffs hopes. No Curry no playoffs.
What do you mean? There’s only like 8 players on the roster right now.
Feels like clippers gonna be racked w injuries all year
Yup that’s true. No curry no playoffs. Hope he continues to do what he does this coming season.
But there’s no if should’ve could’ve would’ve against the wolves. Next man up that’s all there is to it.
Gary, I gotta disagree. “Next man up” would apply if say Looney or Moody or …had got hurt but we’re talking about the best player on the team. Judge gets hurt “next man up”? Maholmes, Ohtani, McCaffrey gets hurt. “next man up”? Had Curry, possibly top 3 PG of all time, not got hurt, they beat Twolves. That’s why they lost. There is no “next man up” for Curry.
Claude, Patrick Mahomes doesn’t have a back up quarterback? If he gets hurt, does the game get canceled?
No, it’s the next man up.
The backup puts on the helmet and he gets out there and he does what he’s been practicing for his entire life.
He either performs or he doesn’t but he’s the next man up. You slide him in, you pencil him in. And away you go.
Next man up.
Cmon, sub for Maholmes and they at least half the games he misses. “next man up” does not apply to mvp on each team. Bad take. Sorry.
Differences of opinion. That’s all. Good comments guys I see your points and where you’re coming from.
I just disagree.
You don’t sign a guy to be the backup who can’t play and when the star gets injured write it off and say oh well it’s not the next man up.
Our star went down so we’re done.
No, the next man up has to be ready. The team has to make sure the next man up is ready. The man himself has to be ready.
Will he be an All-Star like the guy he’s replacing.., of course not.
But do they call the game, wrap it up, stop playing, everyone goes home in the second quarter cause someone twisted his ankle?
Ridiculous. Next man up. The bench matters.
What has everyone been saying the last five years after the big three phenomenon has failed ?
You’ve gotta have a next man up.
You can’t spend your entire team salary cap on three superstars and not have support.
David West, Maurice Speights, Jarrett Jack, Jermaine O’Neill, Andre Iguodala.., the starter goes down, gets in foul trouble.., next man up.
It’s as fundamental as the game itself.
Uhm the eagles won a Super Bowl with their back up QB? Next man up always.
Uhm? Foles was the backup to Wentz. Was Wentz a superstar? Was Wentz the Eagles version of Curry? Uhm? And Gary, listing all the GS centers? Really? Who was GS’ HOF center those guys were backups to? The “next man up” for every HOFer I can think of great worsens the team. For God’s sake if Babe Ruth got hurt before a World Series the Yanks would probably still win be cause that team was legendary and the league was limited BUT they don’t because of who was “next man up” after Ruth. Sure, we’re talking opinions but… really?
Claude I guess our definitions of next man up are different.
That’s OK. Love your comments.., keep them coming.
Wentz was 3rd in MVP voting that year dude lol
Dude, when he’s a HOFer get back to me. Dude.
lol @ being triggered by the word dude. Ok how about when Tom Brady was suspended and Jimmy G covered down extremely well? Every sport is next man up. That’s all there is to it. Regardless of how good or bad the player is.
Lott. Favorite 49er ever for me. Why? Receivers feared him. Dropped passes when he was ready to slobber them. He doesn’t play and D is 90%? 80%? I say 60% at best. Butkis? Even more feared. Without him Bears D? Average. It’s freakin BUTKIS! Y. There’s no “next man up” for these guys. Sure there’re subs. But chances of winning are greatly diminished. Yes “next man up” applies, but not for the Currys and Butkises and Lotts and the Maholmeses.
Butler was also not 100% nor was Moody. Both were playing through some bad injuries. There was no next man up for the warriors. Almost any team that loses their best player loses in teh playoffs. Even OKC would struggle if SGA went down the entire 7 games.
@GaryRSW
In the NFL, the starting QB’s backups are well defined.
Who on that team was Curry’s “backup”? Looking at that roster, all the other guards don’t play point, and Podz and Hield were already starting.
So Kerr should have started Pat Spencer?
I think Podski is the back up point guard if Curry goes down.
Well, that was my attempted point. Since Podz was already starting, he obviously can’t be the next man up.
So the next man up would be taking Podski’s spot is what you’re saying?
Brandin is the main ball handler when Curry sits. At least that’s what I thought.
So the next man up, the next man sitting on the bench, the next man to step on the floor when Curry is out would be who?
Buddy Hield, Moses Moody? I’d say one of those two.
Podski slides over to replace Curry as a ball handler And one of those two bench guys slides in and takes Brandin’s place in the starting lineup.
That’s my understanding anyway.
No, since both Podz and Hield were already starting WITH Steph, they aren’t sitting on the bench.
Moody is a terrible passer, so I’d say he’s hard to nom inate as a Curry backup.
This may help explain what I’m thinking. If it’s wrong then OK it’s wrong.
A few years ago in Portland, it was Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum as the starting guards.
But CJ McCollum was Damian Lillard‘s backup point guard.
When Damian Lillard sat CJ McCollum ran the team and took a lot of shots.
Yes they started together, and I think they finished games together, but if Damian Lillard went down with injury or got into foul trouble or even fouled out, the “next man up” was CJ McCollum.
Then whoever came off the bench when McCollum or Lillard sat, that guy would’ve taken CJ’s spot as the two guard in the starting lineup and CJ’s role as when both Lillard and CJ were on the floor.
That bench guy would’ve taken CJ’s role.
But the next man up in Portland, those years if Damian Lillard went down was CJ McCollum.
If Curry goes down, I dare say Brandin Podziemski is the next man up.
Does he play like curry? No, he does not. But he will handle the ball, he will have to score more, and he will have to lead the team in ways that he’s capable.
He’s the next man up.
I hope the Portland scenario clears things up for the way I see it but there’s been several who told me I’m wrong so I guess I’m wrong.., but I thought I’d give it another explanation for the heck of it.
Thanks for engaging and I appreciate your comments.
Kerr is the issue, since he has nothing as far as offensive schemes without Curry’s greatness.
Kuminga will take the QO right before pre season starts. He is just waiting for hope that some team has a big injury before the season and they desperately need a scorer. No reason to talk about trades until the season begins.
Sounds about right. The options are few at this point.
Better to just have him play out the season than take a bad trade of players they don’t want.
Bad players and even more importantly, avoid bad contracts.
Did you see the report that the Kings are desperate to trade Monk so that they can sign Westbrook? LOL
The Kings should be laughed at every time they open their mouths. Most idiotic FO in the NBA. Never listen to them about anything, they don’t know ball
@arc89
I highly doubt that Kuminga is dumb enough to take the QO, losing not just $14.5 mil, but also his Bird rights.
There are multiple reported handshake deals with Horford and Melton. Curry wants GP2 there, but GSW does not. So thats yes on Horford+Melton, and maybe on GP2, Seth Curry and Brogdon – those 3 are just like every other free agent out there, maybe they will sign with GSW, maybe they won’t.
Butler, Kuminga and Toohey’s draft rights to Houston for Durant and Adams or Capela
You too funny
Why would Houston do that or the warriors?
If Houston can’t reach an agreement on Durant’s extension. Why wouldn’t GS do this?
@Luke 207
Whether or not GSW would, Houston definitely wouldn’t. They believe KD is their missing piece.
If you followed the stories (you did) you would know KD was GSW’s #1 pick and Jimmy was the backup plan. Dec 15 I can see this trade happening if GSW cannot get Giannis (your “nightmare” – weird how much you hate the idea of bringing in one of the best players in the league who is a perfect fit with Steph btw). I would think the Rockets would throw in Finney-Smith, Eason or Smith too.
A really good team (top 8), but not a title contender (top 4 to 5).
If GSW stays healthy they are top 4, easily. Their big 3 is better than everyone’s except maybe OKC (although SGA is a grifter who the refs are in the pocket of)
With curry they just need a playoff spot..but that window is getting smaller
It’s so cool how GSW keeps getting short/slender players when the league is trending size/length/height/bulk. GP2 is totally going to be a relevant player in 2026!! smh
GaryRedSoxxWarriors —- learn what a PG means.
I don’t need the NBA or any publication or expert to tell me who is a PG. So when I say something. You can be sure it’s all onme. This is actually a good definition of a PG. And the story about PGs also shows what I say about Curry and SGA. Talent knows talent.
link to google.com
link to si.com
link to hoopshype.com
I get you can’t see what I see. Just a fact of life. So I will explain it to you by using knowledge you can see. It’s what everyone sees lol. This hoopshype top PGs list. We only need the top 9. Since they rank Fox #9.
I’ll make this simple so you can do your best at denying it.
SGA and Curry are not PGs. Their teams don’t run a PG offense. And as a Warriors fan you should know that better than anyone. The Bulls won 6 chips without a PG. You do understand this is where Kerr got his offense.
Luka even though he plays more like a combo guard. He does handle the ball enough to give him the title PG. Very similar to the way Harden handles the position. Both these guys are ranked ahead of Fox. Two 1Way players. I would not take over Fox. Fox is only second to SGA on defense on this list. And SGA is not a PG for same reason MJ wasn’t. Cade imo has had one solid year. So I would not put him ahead either. Although I can respect if you rather him on your team. Luka, Harden, Trae all 1way players. Great offense. And yet Fox scored more pts than Trae or Harden. Only Luka scored more than Fox. And Fox was 5th in FG % on this list. His ast were low compared to this list at 6.1 still respectable. So even by this list today, right now after last year. Fox would easily be top 5.
I said he has a chance to be top 3-4 on Spurs. He is practically there already using this info.……. So WTF doesn’t know PGs. I see the future lol. What do you see oppositional politics. Just a contrarian …..
Great post Al. 100% correct. Spot on info, I love this writeup.
You are right that DeAaron Fox has the potential to be a top 3 or 4 point guard in the entire NBA. Excellent comment.
Keep it coming Al. Accurate information here. Thank you.
A point guard’s job is to put his team in the best position to score on any given offensive possession. It just so happens that a lot of times SGA and Curry are the best options to score on any given possession.
Kerr got his offense from the Bulls? lol so he’s been running the triangle all these years? Your posts are so arrogant with bad opinions and false information. Sure they don’t use a classic point guard but they do not and have never run the triangle. Good grief.
@KnickAl
Trying to differentiate between PGs and combo guards is a pure semantics argument. SGA has led the Thunder in ast/gm in every season since they got a winning record. Curry led the team in ast last season, and since he’s their main scoring option everyone on the team is instructed to pass the ball to him at every opportunity.
Curry is Warriors’ all time assists leader. Yeah, Curry is a PG.
40 year old Al Horford as a starter is definitely what will turn the Warriors into a contender!
The Warriors literally were a Curry injury away from the WCF last year. They ARE contenders. No team tops Curry/Butler/Green as a big 3. Cope.
Interesting to me that no team is interested in any of these players. I mean some of these players can get screwed out if getting a contract and at best they are being promised minimums or in Hortfird’s case $5.7M.
@johnnybgood, in past years, I’d agree, but mot this year. The names may be recognizable, but the market for them may be slim or nothing.
With LA and Denver out of the picture, its not clear there are other offers for Horford at $5.7M, nor for any of the other 3 players, all of whom will be at least 33 years old and/or bring major health and availability concerns. Moreover, the vet minimum contract for these guys is $3.3M, which is at least $2M more than what 2nd round picks and 2-ways get.
For example,
Brogdon played 24 and 39 games the last seasons; Melton 6 and 38 games
Payton 62, 44, and 22 games
At this stage, I’m guessing that the Warriors (if interested) would be the only NBA option for at least 2 of these 4, maybe even 3 of them.
We’re seeing a league-wide trend to favoring younger players at 10-15, with availability, lower pay, and future potential being, relatively, more valued than before. That’s why there are so many of these familiar names available.
It 100% is not “no teams are interested” its that every team is waiting on the big 4 holdouts to figure out salaries.
Literally all unsigned FA’s are waiting on at least one of GSW, CHI, BK and PHI. All FAs should be viewed as potential targets by those 4 teams.
Oldest team in NBA history. Ages come playoff time:
BENCH:
Seth Curry: 35
Brogdon: 33
GP2: 33
STARTERS:
Horford: 39
Steph Curry: 39
Draymond: 36
Butler: 36
Probably Al loves to workout and play basketball and a chance to play with Stephan Curry is too much to pass up. To learn the west coast vibe while getting extra millions helps too. Go “Playoff Al!”
@aristotle – 0% chance GSW signs all of Melton, Payton, Brogdon and Curry. How many undersized guards can even fit here?
I dont post much, if ever, like I used to on Warrior stuff. Guys like Ari, Al, and Gary know more about other players in the league. And know more about the financial machinations than I. So I stay out of that. And the Kerr bashing I disagree with. I don’t like his politics but how can you question coaching, in any sport, if you haven’t “been there”. I know Durant and Booker struggled together in Phoenix but that the 2 excelled under Kerr. Sure, there were future HOFers on team USA to help enable the excelling of the 2, but there are 3, soon to be 4, future HOFers on GS. To me, Kerr has not affected Kuminga’s progress. It’s self-inflicted IMO. Similar to Moody. Kerr has had a long leash for both of them. So I stay out of these discussions. I enjoy reading the posts and sometimes scratch my head but like I said, I don’t know enough about most of what I read to comment. Who cares, right?
Always comment when you feel the tug Claude. That’s what makes this fun.
I’ve always enjoyed your levelheaded comments and you’ve been a warrior fan for many many years.
You have a lot of great stories and your input is valuable.
I don’t know a lot of that salary cap stuff either I leave that up to Chapman’s vacuum lol. He’s got that stuff squared away…, aristotle too.
Keep it coming Claude. I know personally I love it. Agree or disagree…, keep it rolling.
Oops, I should have included Chapman’s Vacuum in my list. Thx Gary but I’m good. Chapman didn’t comment on this thread. Is he on the IL like his namesake?
He’ll be here. It’s a Warriors article so I’m sure he’ll read it and then the comments too. His ears are tickling right now.
@ClaudeRaymond – glad to see you posting again. You were missed.
For the record, I believe Kerr was the perfect coach for the Duns in his first 8 years, but, since then, not. It started by failing to discipline Draymond in Oct. 2022.
I don’t see how Kerr has a long leash for any young players, but that’ll all be water under the bridge soon.
@aristotle
Since again there was no reply button:
BENCH:
Seth Curry: 35
Brogdon: 33
GP2: 33
STARTERS:
Horford: 39
Steph Curry: 39 (actually, 38)
Draymond: 36
Butler: 36
Now do the Clippers.
I too, have issues replying to @aristotle when neither of us has the other one muted
btw, its completely insane to write those names who have not signed with GSW as if they are real. also, you added too many years to a bunch of guys:
lets do reality.
BENCH:
Podz: 22
Santos: 23
Moody: 23
Post: 25
Melton: 27
STARTERS:
Horford: 39
Curry: 37
Draymond: 35
Kuminga: 22
Butler: 35
Try posting real numbers and players next time.
> Now do the Clippers
Good idea. They’re the 2nd oldest team in the league, but we make ’em look like young pups :–)
STARTERS:
Zubac 28
Collins 28
Harden 36
Beale 32
Leonard 34
BENCH
Jones Jr. 28
Dunn 31
Lopez 37
Bogdanovic 32
Batum 36
@aristotle total ages combined of the top 10 players on each team, letting GSW have Horford and Melton:
LAC: 322
GSW: 288
What on earth are you talking about “we make ’em look like young pups” no we dont!