When Al Horford returned to the Celtics in 2021 for a second stint, it looked like he might wrap up his NBA journey in Boston. But now, at 39 years old, Horford chose to move on this summer, explaining to Nick Friedell of The Athletic that he left because “they just weren’t in a position to offer me the opportunity that I wanted.”
Boston had just come off a championship in 2023/24 followed by a 61-win regular season in ’24/25. However, expectations dipped heading into the 2025/26 campaign after Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles tear during the playoffs, and the organization traded away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday mainly for financial flexibility.
With the team focused on cutting salary, it also couldn’t retain role players like Luke Kornet or extend a proper offer to Horford despite his contributions.
“There was two things there,” Horford said. “I think the financial part was a component, but more than that, it was the winning part of it, trying to contend for a championship. And I think there was a lot of things up in the air – and it just felt like they weren’t in the same, that same vision, obviously, because JT getting hurt, that takes a big toll. So I think at that point I really had to – up until then I was staying in Boston the whole time.
“… I think once that offseason happened and it started to progress, it became clear to me the team had different priorities. Obviously, getting rid of Jrue, getting rid of Kristaps. And I know it’s all salary stuff, but it was like a domino effect, and it was tough for me. It was a tough decision, but my wife and I, we prayed about it. I knew that it had to be something that was gonna be – that my family had to be on board with me for us to proceed in something like this. And that was it.”
Horford ultimately secured a two-year deal with the Warriors using the full taxpayer mid-level exception. The deal includes a player option for the second season and a 15% trade kicker.
While the signing became official on October 1 – delayed due to Golden State waiting to finalize Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency situation before being locked into a second-apron hard cap – Horford said he knew far earlier in the offseason that he would be heading to the Bay Area.
He added that personal outreach from Stephen Curry and Draymond Green helped solidify his decision.
“Yeah, I had communication with them, with Steph and Draymond,” Horford said. “And that was important. It happened very fast because it was at a point where they came to me and they’re like, ‘Hey, we’d love to have you,’ and all these things. And it was one of these things that, for me, looking at this fit and the potential, it just felt right. So them reaching out to me was important.”
Even though his contract allows for another year after this one, Horford said his mindset is to settle in and ideally close out his career with Golden State.
“I think at this point in my career, where I see everything, that is my expectation, just to be here,” he said.
Al Horford Explains Celtics Exit, Hopes To Retire With Warriors https://t.co/OpIWlm8fOL pic.twitter.com/i1gzLPtEBu
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) October 14, 2025
