The NBA offseason is heating up, and the Golden State Warriors are poised to make a splash. According to multiple reports, five-time All-Star Al Horford is expected to join the Warriors, potentially as early as Sunday, when teams can finalize most signings and trades under the 2025–26 salary cap. The move signals Golden State’s intent to bolster their roster with veteran leadership and championship pedigree as they chase another title.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that Horford, a key piece of the Boston Celtics’ 2024 championship run, will not return to the team. “All signs, for the record, continue to point to Al Horford landing with Golden State … eventually,” they noted. The sentiment was echoed by Bill Simmons on his podcast, where he confidently declared, “Horford’s going to Golden State.” Rob Mahoney of The Ringer added, “That’s basically treated as a foregone conclusion around the league right now.” Simmons doubled down: “It’s happening.”
All signs point to Al Horford signing with the Golden State Warriors, per @TheSteinLine
“All signs, for the record, continue to point to Al Horford landing with Golden State … eventually. Sunday will be the first day of the 2025-26 salary cap year that NBA teams can make most… pic.twitter.com/1WrOj7CAXq
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 4, 2025
At 39, Horford remains a valuable asset. Last season, he appeared in 60 games for Boston, averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from three. His high basketball IQ, steady floor-spacing, and playoff experience make him an ideal fit for a Warriors team looking to maximize their championship window.
The Warriors’ frontcourt has been a weak point since Marreese Speights’ departure in 2016, and the recent loss of Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans only deepened the need for a reliable big. Horford, with his ability to stretch the floor and anchor the defense, checks all the boxes. His veteran presence and championship know-how—honed during stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Celtics—will complement Golden State’s star-studded lineup.
Horford’s career averages of 12.9 points and 7.9 rebounds underscore his consistency. He played a pivotal role in Boston’s 2024 title run, though the Celtics fell to the Warriors in the 2022 Finals and lost to the New York Knicks in the second round this year. Now, Horford is set to join the team that once bested him, bringing his leadership to a new stage.
Earlier this week, whispers linked Horford to the Los Angeles Lakers, who were looking to revamp their frontcourt around LeBron James and Luka Dončić. However, those rumors quickly faded after the Lakers re-signed Jaxson Hayes and acquired Deandre Ayton, per Shams Charania. With Los Angeles out of the picture, Horford’s decision appears to come down to joining Golden State or retiring. The allure of chasing another ring with a contender like the Warriors seems to have tipped the scales.
The Warriors are already loaded with talent, boasting Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler, who joined via a blockbuster trade last season. Adding Horford would create a veteran-heavy core built for playoff success. His high-character leadership and ability to perform under pressure will mesh seamlessly with Golden State’s culture.
The Warriors are coming off a 2025 postseason that saw them survive a grueling seven-game series against the Houston Rockets, only to fall to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round after Curry’s Game 1 hamstring injury. With Horford on board, the team hopes to fortify their roster and make a deeper playoff run in 2026.
Horford’s addition is more than just a roster upgrade—it’s a statement. The Warriors are all-in on their championship aspirations, blending their dynamic core with a battle-tested veteran who’s been to the mountaintop. As the NBA offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Golden State to see how this blockbuster move shapes their pursuit of another Larry O’Brien Trophy.