The Golden State Warriors have made it clear they plan to be active in free agency as they look to bolster their championship-caliber roster.
They could be in line to land unrestricted free agent Al Horford, and a deal could come sooner than expected. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, Horford has been in talks with Golden State, and he could become their next starting center.
“They’ve been in talks with Al Horford for the last couple of days,” Siegel wrote on X in response to a question about the Warriors’ potential offseason moves. “It could happen as early as tonight. Ball is in Horford’s court and what he ultimately decides.”
Hortford averaged nine points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 blocks in 60 games for the Boston Celtics this past season, and was a key piece in them winning the 2024 NBA Championship. If he does leave, he would join Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis as another player not to return to Boston next season.
Horford As A Veteran Addition
Horford spent the past four seasons with the Celtics, where he anchored their defensive dominance during their title run in 2024. At 39 years old, he isn’t the same player he was at his peak, but his three-point shooting and defensive prowess could be extremely valuable for a Golden State team that has seen immense success when they thrive in those aspects of the game.
Horford would likely come in on a smaller deal or veteran contract, but the fact that he is an unrestricted free agent means that the Warriors likely won’t have to give up a ton, or any assets, to add the center.
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Los Angeles Lakers, along with the Warriors, are two top teams poised to make a run at signing Horford.
“Sources tell me and @DanWoikeSports that Al Horford is also under serious consideration by the Lakers (in addition to the Warriors),” Amick wrote on X.
Horford is a free agent coming off a two-year $19 million extension he signed with Boston in 2022. While his veteran leadership and experience would be valuable to either the Lakers or Warriors, his joining either team would likely mean a drastic drop in pay.
Warriors Offseason So Far
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made it clear that the team would attack free agency in hopes of adding pieces to their roster. They selected two players in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft but Dunleavy said that expectations would be low for their rookies while they prioritize adding veterans to pair alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
They also have yet to decide on the future of restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, who is reportedly on the trade market. Kuminga has made it clear that he is open to playing on a different team and taking on a bigger role after playing as a rotational piece for Golden State through his first four NBA seasons.
Most recently, the Warriors lost Kevon Looney in free agency to the New Orleans Pelicans. With him gone, Horford could step in right away to become their new backup or even starting center.
Golden State has made massive moves in free agency in the past, and adding a player like Horford would likely increase their chances to compete for a title over the next few seasons in a loaded Western Conference.
The Warriors lost in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves, in a series that saw Curry play just one game after going down with an injury.
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