Al Horford is not dashing himself to determine his NBA future.
The veteran huge man is an unrestricted free agent this summer time, and given the Boston Celtics’ present cap points and the obvious preparations for a down yr, he is not anticipated to re-sign with the franchise.
Due to this fact, Horford has two choices out there to him: retire or signal with a workforce elsewhere within the NBA. In current weeks, the Golden State Warriors have been cited as essentially the most logical touchdown spot for the 2024 NBA champion. Nonetheless, as Horford continues to mull over one other yr within the league, questions have begun to come up.
Luckily for Warriors followers, long-time NBA insider Marc Stein has put their issues to relaxation. In a July 6 edition of his “Stein Line” newsletter, Stein reported that Horford is “destined” to workforce up with the Warriors for the 2025-26 season.
“Whereas having the total non-taxpayer midlevel would theoretically present the Nuggets with the monetary flexibility to supply a richer 12 months 1 wage to Boston Celtics free agent Al Horford that Golden State can pitch, I proceed to listen to that Horford is destined to land within the Bay Space,” Stein reported. “That is although the Warriors presently have solely the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel to supply him.”
Assuming he indicators with the Warriors, Horford will clear up a long-standing issue within the Bay Space. Steve Kerr’s workforce has been with out a high-level heart for years. Whereas Horford would not carry the scale the Warriors frontcourt wants, he does present distinctive defensive versatility, flooring spacing and championship expertise.
Pairing him with Draymond Inexperienced ought to result in a stout defensive expertise in Golden State.
Nonetheless, any transfer for Horford will probably be nothing greater than a stopgap. He turned 39 on June 3. A transfer to the Bay Space will probably be to contend for a championship within the upcoming season. With Stephen Curry, Inexperienced and Jimmy Butler, Horford might guarantee Kerr’s workforce has a robust shot at contending in a loaded Western Convention.
Dropping its long-time huge man will be a blow for Boston. Nonetheless, Horford has earned the appropriate to bow out of the league on his phrases. If he needs to spend what may very well be his closing NBA season contending for a title then so be it. That is not one thing the Celtics can realistically present subsequent season after Jayson Tatum suffered his Achilles tendon tear.
