Al Horford has yet to decide about his plans for the 2025-26 NBA season. But if you’re waiting for the veteran big man to return to the Boston Celtics, don’t hold your breath.
Horford is currently weighing his options in unrestricted free agency, and it appears the Golden State Warriors are the top candidate for his services. Here’s a brief rundown of notable Horford-related reports since the unofficial start to NBA free agency on Monday:
- On Monday, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that Horford had received interest from the Celtics, Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers in free agency.
- On Tuesday, Substack’s Marc Stein described Horford as a “leading target” for Golden State.
- On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Dan Woike reported that Horford is under “serious consideration” by the Los Angeles Lakers in addition to the Warriors.
- On Wednesday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on NBA Today that Horford is most likely choosing between the Lakers, Warriors and retirement, adding that Golden State has been “very aggressive” in trying to sign Horford.
- Later Wednesday, the Lakers reportedly agreed to sign big man Deandre Ayton, which seemingly would take them out of the running for Horford.
- On Wednesday, The Ringer’s Rob Mahoney noted on the Bill Simmons Podcast that Horford-to-Golden State is being “treated as a foregone conclusion around the league right now.” Co-host Bill Simmons then replied, “It’s happening,” referring to the Warriors signing Horford.
- Late Wednesday night, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported the Warriors are “waiting on Al Horford’s decision.”
Long story short: Most signs point to Horford eventually joining the Warriors, or potentially retiring at age 39 after 18 NBA seasons.
Horford is a beloved figure in Boston who helped bring an 18th championship to the Celtics and has spent seven of his last nine NBA seasons with the franchise, including the last four. If the C’s were gearing up for another title run in 2025-26, it’d be hard to imagine Horford uprooting from Boston at this stage of his career.
But the reality is that the Celtics could be facing a reset year in 2025-26, with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis already traded, fellow big man Luke Kornet lost to the San Antonio Spurs in free agency and superstar forward Jayson Tatum likely out for the season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Horford was a perfect fit on a deep Celtics team that could manage his minutes in the regular season and lean on his veteran leadership in the postseason. But the 2025-26 Celtics — whose frontcourt currently consists of Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman Sr., Luka Garza and rookie Amari Williams — would need much more from Horford to remain competitive, with much lower odds of a deep playoff run.
If Horford indeed chooses Golden State, he’d join a veteran-laden team led by Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler that could use an experienced big man after losing Kevon Looney in free agency.
And while the Warriors aren’t exactly title favorites in the Western Conference, they’re still more in “win-now” mode than Boston, which could look to further cut costs to get under the second apron of the luxury tax.
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