Browsing: Horford

This signing has been expected since early in the offseason, but was on hold for months pending the resolution of the Jonathan Kuminga restricted free agency situation. Now, with training camps a day away, the Warriors can wait no longer.

Golden State and Al Horford have verbally agreed to a multi-year contract, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPNand confirmed by other sources. He leaves a Boston team where he helped mature their young core and was a key part of their 2024 championship run, and Horford essentially confirmed the deal with the Warriors by thanking Celtics fans.

Exactly what Horfordâ€s new contract looks like still depends on how the Kuminga situation plays out (as Keith Smith of Spotrac explains). If Kuminga picks up the $8 million qualifying offer, Golden State can give Horford the full mid-level exception ($14.1 million this year, with raises after), hardcapping the Warriors at the first apron of the luxury tax. If the Warriors and Kuminga work out an extension before the Wednesday deadline (likely for north of $20 million a season), the Warriors can still offer the taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.7 million), and the team would be hard-capped at the second apron. Either way, the Warriors have to sign at least four more players with Deâ€Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, and Seth Curry expected to make up three of those (all for the minimum).

Horford, 39, is a natural fit at a floor-spacing center backing up (at times next to) Draymond Green in the Warriors†offense, plus he remains a solid defender. Thatâ€s why the Warriors targeted him early in free agency. Horford wants to compete for something in the final couple of years of his career, and the Warriors — with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler — provide him with that opportunity, if this older squad can stay healthy when the playoffs roll around.

Source link

Free agent center Al Horford has committed to sign a multiyear contract with the Golden State Warriors, agent Jason Glushon told ESPN on Sunday.

After spending seven of the past nine years with the Boston Celtics, including their 2023-24 NBA championship season, Horford enters his 19th year in the league as the Warriors’ new starting center.

Horford verbally committed to the Warriors on Sunday, sources said. The sides are working through the final financial terms, with a signing in the coming days after the final decision from restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, a source said.

Horford was the Warriors’ top center target entering free agency in July as the 39-year-old pondered playing for Golden State or retirement. Horford is among a few free agents who have been awaiting a decision from Kuminga, but made the decision Sunday to commit to a multiyear contract.

Editor’s Picks

• 
• 

1 Related

Horford, who has made over 100 3-pointers in each of the past three seasons while shooting 41% from long range, is seen as an ideal fit around the Warriors’ big three of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green. Offensively, the Warriors believe his size, floor-spacing, passing and defensive instincts will significantly upgrade their center position.

Horford had a 46% effective field-goal percentage allowed when defending isolations last season, which was seventh best in the NBA, per GeniusIQ. Horford also defended the sixth-most isolations in 2024-25, and remains one of the top big men with the ability to switch on wing players.

Horford is one of four players with 900 made 3-pointers and 1,300 blocks in NBA history, along with Rasheed Wallace, Brook Lopez and Clifford Robinson.

Source link