Al Horford experienced a period of uncertainty during the majority of the NBA offseason while being an unrestricted free agent. Ultimately, the veteran Boston Celtics player came to a challenging choice to sign with a different team. In late September, he consented to a two-year contract with the Golden State Warriors, bringing an end to his second tenure in Boston, where he achieved his first career championship. Horford stated that the choice was influenced by the fact that he and the Celtics held differing views regarding the 2025-26 season.
At this advanced stage of Horford’s career, the chances to secure another championship title are diminishing. He had already triumphed with the Celtics, but considering that Jayson Tatum is expected to be sidelined for a significant portion, if not the entirety, of the upcoming season due to a torn Achilles tendon, Horford’s most promising path to another title may lie outside of Boston.
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“There were a couple of considerations,” Horford, aged 39, communicated to The Athletic. “The financial aspect played a role, but more importantly, it was the prospect of winning and competing for a championship. There were many uncertainties, and it seemed their vision didn’t align with mine, especially after JT’s injury. Until that point, I had intended to remain in Boston.”
The Celtics faced a challenging financial situation this offseason due to the second apron restrictions. They executed trades involving Kristaps Porziņġis and Jrue Holiday to reduce salary expenses and witnessed key reserve Luke Kornet depart in free agency. This outflow of talent was largely unavoidable.
Given these departures and the possibility of Tatum missing the entire season, the Celtics are anticipated to regress from their customary position in the upper tier of the Eastern Conference.
“As the offseason progressed, it became apparent that the team had different priorities,” Horford remarked. “Evidently, trading away Jrue and Kristaps, while acknowledging the salary implications, created a domino effect that affected my decision.”
Horford’s departure is yet another setback for the Celtics, whose frontcourt depth has diminished with each player leaving. Across his two periods with the franchise, he established a legacy as a crucial component of the 2024 championship team and consistently ranked among the NBA‘s premier defenders. Even at 38 years old, he maintained a prominent role in the Celtics’ lineup.
Golden State appears to be an excellent destination for Horford. He fulfilled all the Celtics’ needs and is expected to integrate seamlessly with the Warriors, thanks to his defensive versatility and ability to make 3-point shots on the offensive end.
