It’s becoming one of the NBA offseason’s worst-kept secrets: Al Horford is expected to join the Golden State Warriors.
According to Marc Stein, all signs “continue to point” to Horford landing with the Warriors—potentially as soon as Sunday, the first day teams can officially complete most signings and trades under the 2025–26 salary cap.
Warriors Expected to Land Horford
Stein and Fischer reported that Horford will not return to the Boston Celtics, where he helped win the 2024 championship.
“All signs, for the record, continue to point to Al Horford landing with Golden State … eventually,” Stein and Fischer noted.
Bill Simmons echoed that sentiment on his podcast while speaking with Rob Mahoney of The Ringer:
“Horford’s going to Golden State,” Simmons said.
Mahoney replied, “That’s basically treated as a foregone conclusion around the league right now.”
Simmons doubled down: “It’s happening.”
A Need at Center—and a Veteran Fit
Golden State’s need for frontcourt help is obvious. The team lost Kevon Looney to the Pelicans. They haven’t had a reliable floor-spacing big since Marreese Speights in 2016. Horford, even at age 39, checks multiple boxes. Veteran presence. Championship experience. High IQ. Steady shooting.
Last season, Horford appeared in 60 games for Boston. He averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He shot 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from deep.
He’s played for the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Celtics (twice). He owns career averages of 12.9 points and 7.9 rebounds.
His Celtics lost to the Warriors in the 2022 Finals and fell to the Knicks in the second round this year.
Lakers Rumors Fade as Warriors Emerge
Earlier this week, Horford was briefly linked to the Los Angeles Lakers as they looked to retool their frontcourt around LeBron James and Luka Dončić. But that door closed after the Lakers re-signed Jaxson Hayes and added Deandre Ayton, per Shams Charania.
With Los Angeles off the table, the decision appears to be between Golden State and retirement.
Warriors Core Shifts with Horford Incoming
Getty Jimmy Butler III, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors huddle during a game.
The current Warriors roster features Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler, who was acquired in a blockbuster deal last season. Adding Horford would round out the veteran-heavy core with a high-character leader and proven playoff performer.
Golden State fell to the Timberwolves in the second round of the 2025 playoffs after Curry suffered a hamstring injury in Game 1. The team had earlier survived a seven-game battle with the Rockets.
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