The Golden State Warriors have been pursuing a new starting center this offseason. After Kevon Looney chose to leave to sign a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, the search for a new starter has intensified.
One name has been at the center of the search. That name is former Boston Celtics center Al Horford.
Horford has been connected to a few other teams, but the Warriors have remained his top destination. It’s a fit that makes a ton of sense and would give Golden State a better shot of competing in the stacked Western Conference.
While the Warriors have been heavily linked to Horford, there has not been a lot of clarity surrounding the situation. Now, a new update has been given.
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According to longtime NBA insider Marc Stein, all signs are pointing to Horford signing with Golden State.
“All signs, for the record, continue to point to Al Horford landing with Golden State … eventually,” Stein wrote. “Sunday will be the first day of the 2025-26 salary cap year that NBA teams can make most free agent signings and trades official.”
Last season, the Warriors were able to get into the playoffs after acquiring Jimmy Butler ahead of the NBA trade deadline. They defeated the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets before being eliminated in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Adding a piece like Horford would give Golden State the upgrade in the middle the front office wanted to add. He would also likely cost a reasonable price.
During the 2024-25 NBA season with the Celtics, Horford played in 60 games and made 42 starts. He averaged nine points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.9 blocks per game, while shooting 42.3 percent and 36.3 percent from three-point range.
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At one point, the Los Angeles Lakers were the Warriors’ biggest competition to sign Horford. Now, they have landed both Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes and appear to be set at the position.
It seems very likely that Horford will join forces with Butler, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green unless he chooses to retire instead.
Will that be enough for Golden State to get back into NBA Finals contention? That remains to be seen. But, it would be a nice step in that direction.
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