Free agent big man Al Horford has agreed to a multiyear deal with the Warriors, agent Jason Glushon tells Shams Charania of ESPN.
According to Charania, Horford will be Golden State’s starting center as he enters his 19th NBA season.
As ESPN’s Anthony Slater tweets, the Warriors targeted Horford early on in free agency, and just before training camp is set to begin, he has officially committed to signing a multiyear deal. The exact terms of Horford’s contract are still up in the air due to Jonathan Kuminga‘s restricted free agency, Slater adds.
A source tells Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link) that Jayson Tatum‘s torn Achilles tendon and the departures of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis played a role in Horford’s decision to leave the Celtics after spending seven of the past nine years with the franchise, including winning a title in 2024. But it was still a difficult call to leave Boston, according to Himmelsbach, as Horford considers the city a second home.
Horford posted a thank you message (via Twitter) to both the organization and the city of Boston.
As Charania writes, the Warriors view Horford as an “ideal fit” next to Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green due to his “size, floor-spacing, passing and defensive instincts.” Despite being 39 years old, Horford remains a stout and versatile defender, Charania notes.
According to Charania, Horford mulled retirement before committing to the Warriors, the team he had been linked to throughout the offseason.
A 6’9″ forward/center from the Dominican Republic, Horford was selected No. 3 overall in the 2007 draft following three standout years at Florida, having won back-to-back national championships with the Gators. He has been a strong NBA player for essentially his entire career, making five All-Star appearances, one All-NBA team, and one All-Defensive team.
Horford’s teams have also been highly successful, making several trips to the Eastern Conference Finals. He was part of the Celtics club that lost to Golden State in the 2022 NBA Finals before helping Boston break through with its 18th title — and first since 2008 — in 2024.
De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II are also expected to sign with the Warriors in the coming days, with Curry’s younger brother Seth Curry another player who has been linked to Golden State. The Warriors have a pair of unsigned second-round picks (Will Richard and Alex Toohey) as well, plus a qualifying offer out to two-way RFA Taran Armstrong.
Finally. Does that mean Kuminga signed?
Um no. It means the agent is tired of answering questions. Maybe Al too.
The first headline said “signing with…”. This doesn’t actually seem like news as it’s obvious at this point those three are going to sign with dubs once kuminga is settled.
Didn’t see that coming….lol
A bit misleading. According to Shams, Horford has not signed, but only publicly stated an *intention* to sign after the Kuminga situation is resolved, which Shams expects will happen on Oct 1.
The article clearly says “to sign”. Nowhere does it say that Horford has already “signed”. Horford agreed to a multi year deal but has not yet “signed”
I have a legitimate question. Why would Al sign with the Warriors of all teams? I mean, everyone can see how old the team is.
Their chances for a championship are there, but they’re not “championship contenders,” per se. They’re more like playoff contenders with second round possibilities.
What am I not seeing that big Al sees?
They offered the most guaranteed money?
Yep. That’s it.
A lot of minutes playing and a chance at a ring. Its not for money because he could get that with many teams. Difference is on many teams he would be considered a back up player.
Better chance of winning than the Celtics. Also, veteran players want to play with other veterans, and Al is a veteran and the warriors have lots of veterans. If the money were the same do you think he’d rather go back to Atlanta?
Celtics are at worst the 5th best team in the weak east where the Knicks are a contender. Warriors cannot beat the Thunder, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Rockets or Mavericks in a series.
Crazy talk. But watch, Celtics will be better than the Warriors. I bet they beat them twice in the reg season.
People are losing their minds on the Celtics. Plus Brad always has a plan. What is the Warriors plan, have Al shoot more 3s…lol ok see how that works out.
Al will regret this move, again.
The east is that bad. Only 3 good teams in the east and the rest are .500 teams at best. Celtics will be a play in team.
He will regret this move like he regretted signing with the Sixers.
My guess is Boston told him they did not want to resign him and this was his only real option.
Celtics will have a better record than the Warriors and have a better chance at winning a title.
Does ANYONE really think old ass Steph and annoying ass Draymond can beat the Mavericks, Timberwolves, Thunder or Nuggets.
No. Stop.
Obviously, Boston has been trying to she salary. Horford signed with GS for more money. Don’t think he’ll regret making more money.
And I forgot the Rockets…Warriors cannot beat the Rockets even with a healthy Steph.
can you tell me the record the rockets has had in the last 5 playoff games against the warriors? what was that 0 and 5… Rockets has a banner up saying can’t beat the warriors..
they just did beat them….what a statement
The Rockets have basically zero experienced ball handlers/primary initiators. Cant trade a single player they would want to move. They are also hard capped and wont be able to sign a vet min till Jan.
So how is a team that was trash the last 3 seasons when FVV missed time going to be better than a GSW team that is like 14 deep with NBA rotation players, and only looks light at C if neither Post/TJD take a step forward in years 2/3?
The Wolves wouldnt have beat them if Butler/Curry/Moody/Podz werent all injured. Like the team they ran out in game 80 smokes the Wolves, who I think got meaningfully worse this offseason losing NAW.
the guy is just a bitter old Rocket’s fan. You can’t blame him when every year the warriors kick his team out of the playoffs. Bitter CF
I thought CF was a Celtics fan ?
that would even be more bitter knowing that teh Celtics choked in the finals against the warriors.
The Mavs are not a contender GTFO…
Gary, you asked the right questions. Obviously, this isn’t a ring-chasing thing. My take is that the Warriors are the only team that can offer these 3 things:
1. $7M/yr
2. Starting role
3. High quality organization.
The Clippers and Nuggets were interested and had the money, but they both wanted a backup. Brook Lopez and Valunciunas fit better. The Lakers were also rumored to be interested, but then Ayton fell from the sky.
They are not contenders. Not many teams need AL. Gs time has ended just like the Chiefs. Every density has a ending. Maybe if they turn JK into something with out that last piece or two then yes. But I just don’t see a championship run unless there are injuries to OKC
Warriors also giving 2 yrs, and his son is Curry fan, lol.
Dubs are loaded Melton & Seth will sign too.
yeah Melton and Seth are all star caliber players… oh wait nobody wanted them and they just got added to a team with three guys pushing 40 and the one young guy who is in a contract dispute.
Didnt Melton get cut by the 76ers? Seth did he play last year?
I am sure the Rockets, Thunder, Nuggets, TWolves and Mavericks are scared……….
Good role players so that your team has depth. Look at the Pacers, teams want to play lots of players and cycle them more. Both for managing season wear and tear, and for performance advantages of everybody goes hard, then everyone rests throughout the game.
Melton signed with GSW as a FA, and looked incredible as a fit until his ACL tore. He is a guy that would be making 20M a year if not for his health. If he stays healthy he is a huge bargain. Seth is a good shooting vet that plays hard and doesnt mind a DNPCD, oh and hes your main stars brother…
We should totally hold up the 6ers as brilliant though I mean they only signed Embiid to a monster extension, and PG to a deal no team would take. But no yeah they are a model franchise…
They are all injury proned players. Hopefully, they will be healthy.
Happy for Al he’s been a favorite Celtic of mine for years and deserves to go out how he wants.
I don’t understand why it took so long? The media was saying it’s because of the Kuminga situation but it obviously wasn’t since nothing has materialized on that front.
An old team got older.
The rest of the primary rotation are all under 30 outside the core 4. You gotta manage workloads, and hope they make it to the playoffs healthy.
Health is really the swing factor for this team. The talent they have if healthy is as good as anybody in the west besides OKC. They are a tough matchup for OKC though because the way they play screws up OKCs defensive strategy. If Steph gets hurt again they arent getting anywhere, but isnt that how its always been since ’13?
Someone tell him it’s 2025, not 2015.
I think Horford in ’15 wants more than 6M a year…
I get what you’re saying the problem is the rest of the roster is dependent on Curry or Butler. They are old. The grind of the regular season is real. That’s why I don’t count the bubble championship. If they played a few games right into the playoffs I have them as contenders but a 37, 36,35 and 39 year old is not grinding through the regular season and then matching up for the playoffs