Ex-Celtic, 5-time All-Star close to deal with Western Conference team

Jun 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) attempts a basket in front of Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the fourth quarter of game six in the 2022 NBA Finals at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics have had a disappointing summer, blowing up their roster after Jayson Tatum’s brutal Achilles injury. 

After Tatum’s torn Achilles in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Celtics enter the 2025-26 season with a new look. Boston traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in June, and Luke Kornet joined the San Antonio Spurs in free agency. Now, veteran big man Al Horford is reportedly on the verge of signing elsewhere. 

It has been widely expected that Horford would leave for a title contender in the twilight of his career. The 39-year-old has been a fan favorite in Boston for years, spending seven total seasons with the team over two separate stints. However, he’s expected to head out West in the 2025-26 campaign. 

MORE: Celtics insider floats bold Payton Pritchard move for 2025-26

Al Horford nearing deal with Warriors 

The Golden State Warriors have had a quiet offseason while trying to work out an agreement with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. With training camp fast approaching, the promising young forward is expected to resolve the standstill soon — whether that be accepting his qualifying offer or finalizing a new contract. 

NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported Friday that a resolution is likely to come soon, and with it, an official deal for Horford. 

“Al Horford hasn’t been able to sign his two-year contract that is lined up because of the Dubs’ cap situation as they wait for Kuminga. … The Warriors have been at peace, knowing that they have verbal agreements in place and these free agency deals are all but signed at this point,” he wrote. 

Horford will provide the Warriors with a veteran presence and a floor-spacing big man. He has remained productive in the latter years of his career, and he averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 36.3 percent from downtown in 27.7 minutes per game over 60 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. 

A No. 3 overall pick out of Florida in 2007, Horford will now get an opportunity to compete for his second NBA title alongside Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green in Golden State.

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