As the Golden State Warriors have awaited a resolution to their standoff with Jonathan Kuminga this offseason, a cloud of uncertainty has hung over the team’s outlook. However, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: veteran center Al Horford will almost certainly join the Warriors once Kuminga’s contract situation is resolved. The reason isn’t just the Warriors’ desperate need, but a shocking new development—the complete implosion of his former team, the Boston Celtics.
1. The “Jayson Tatum Tragedy” and the Celtics’ Capitulation
The Boston Celtics, once a top title contender, are now in a state of chaos. Following superstar Jayson Tatum’s brutal Achilles injury in the playoffs, the team has been offloading numerous contracts. They traded key veterans Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis and lost Luke Kornet in free agency.
NBA analyst “Slightly Biased” put it bluntly: “Is there a reason [the Celtics aren’t] going to be dreadful? I’m trying… to think of a reason why this team won’t be trying to purposefully lose games after the trade deadline.”
While his description might be slightly hyperbolic, it accurately reflects the Celtics’ new reality. They are no longer a contending force but a team on the brink of a full-blown tanking season. For a veteran like Horford, who has played 18 seasons and won a championship, there’s absolutely no incentive to stay with a team starting a rebuild. Instead, he wants to use the last “gas in his tank” to chase more glory.
2. The Warriors: The Perfect Destination for a Champion’s Final Run
Against the backdrop of the Celtics’ collapse, the Golden State Warriors have emerged as the most logical choice for Al Horford. The Warriors’ need for a reliable center is undeniable. Horford’s ability to shoot the three, pass, and provide a calm veteran presence are qualities the team has been missing for years.
As a potential contender in the Western Conference, the Warriors provide the ideal environment for Horford to continue his championship pursuit. While he could have looked back at his former team for a cheap contract, the Celtics’ recent moves have made his decision easier than it could have ever been.
The Warriors’ internal standoff with Jonathan Kuminga remains the only obstacle. But from the outside, the path to Golden State for Al Horford has been cleared by the Celtics. A team in desperate need of a veteran center is aligned with a player who desperately wants to compete. The fit seems inevitable. Now, it’s only a matter of time before we see Al Horford in a Warriors jersey.