The Golden State Warriors have secured veteran big man Al Horford, with the five-time All-Star committing to a multi-year contract, according to Shams Charania. The deal positions Horford as Golden State’s starting center for the 2025-26 season.
Horford, 39, spent seven of the past nine years with the Boston Celtics, including their 2024 championship run. He averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 60 games during the 2024-25 campaign.
The veteran reacted to his departure from the Celtics by issuing a public message on X: “From the moment we arrived, you have welcomed my family and I with open arms. This chapter in my career will hold a special place in my heart. Raising banner 18 with this city will be a moment I will always cherish. I am forever grateful for the fans and the organization. Thank you, Boston.”
The Warriors had long been linked to Horford, with negotiations delayed by the team’s restricted free agency situation involving Jonathan Kuminga.
Horford’s presence is expected to allow Draymond Green to take fewer matchups against bigger opponents during the regular season, preserving his energy for the playoffs.
His role will likely include carefully managed minutes. Golden State is expected to sit him in back-to-backs and monitor his workload throughout the year. Despite his age, Horford remains an effective contributor on both ends of the floor.
In the 2025 postseason with Boston, he started nine of 11 games, averaging 8.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while hitting 40 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. His floor spacing, defensive communication, and high-post facilitation add versatility to Golden State’s system.
