Multiple reports since the NBA Free Agency period opened point to former Boston Celtics center Al Horford landing with the Golden State Warriors once the Jonathan Kuminga stalemate is resolved.
The only mystery is at what price and the length of the contract, considering Horford just turned 39 in June.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale predicts Horford will sign for the taxpayer’s mid-level exception.
“Depending on how the JK soap opera plays out, the Warriors could need to change up their offer,” Favale wrote. “If Kuminga proves to be ultra-expensive, it might leave them with only the veteran’s minimum to dangle. If he leaves or gets moved in a sign-and-trade, they could technically access the entire non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
“Count on the middle ground winning out again, and the 39-year-old joining Golden State for the taxpayer’s mid-level exception.”
Favale’s final verdict is that the Warriors will give Horford a two-year, $11.7 million, with a player option for 2026-27.
Warriors’ Presumed Starting Center
GettyAl Horford is expected to start at center for the Golden State Warriors next season.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Horford is the “presumed starting center” of the Warriors next season.
“Horford would slide in as the presumed starting center, lessening the regular-season load on Draymond Green, which is a priority,” Slater wrote. “Horford’s ability to pass and defend fits well into the Warriors’ system. His ability to shoot from the center spot is something they’ve been sorely lacking.”
Last season, Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while making nearly two 3-pointers per game on 36.3% shooting from beyond the arc. During the Boston Celtics‘ championship run in the previous season, Horford averaged 8.6 points while shooting 41.9% from the 3-point range.
Horford will have more open looks than he enjoyed in Boston, with Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry‘s scoring gravity bending defenses from inside and outside.
“Those around the league continue to ticket Horford to the Warriors when the free agency dust ultimately settles,” Slater continued. “The Kuminga situation continues to hold up business for them, keeping Horford in a holding pattern.”
Going Against the Tide
Adding Horford into the mix will make the Warriors’ starting lineup one of the oldest, if not the oldest, next season. Horford, Green, Butler and Curry will all be in their mid-to-late 30s.
This lineup goes against the tide of today’s NBA, whose defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, is the second-youngest to win since the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers.
The Warriors could be courting disaster by relying on the 39-year-old knees of Horford to anchor the paint.
“He hasn’t been playing both sides of back-to-backs,” Slater said of Horford. “The Warriors can’t rely on him to be an every-night 25-minute option. But the desire is to have him in the lineup when it matters and open up space for five-man combinations, which would especially benefit a downhill driver like Kuminga.”
The Warriors have 15 back-to-back games this season, tied for second-most in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat and the Utah Jazz.
Second-year center Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis are expected to step up on nights Horford or Green will not be available.
Will this be enough to fuel a deep postseason run for the aging Warriors?
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Warriors Predicted to Land New Starting Center on 2-Year Deal appeared first on Heavy Sports.