The Golden State Warriors have remained quiet in the offseason despite expectations of active roster changes. As negotiations around Al Horford’s free agency continue without a finalized deal, the team is considering Kevin Love as a potential alternative to strengthen their bench for the upcoming season.
The Warriors started the summer among the NBA’s most involved teams in trade and free-agent discussions, yet they have not made any roster additions since free agency opened. Their only official move was a qualifying offer of $8 million to restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga for the 2025-26 season, preserving the right to match any competing offers. Meanwhile, three-time champion center Kevon Looney has departed, signing a two-year contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Al Horford’s Free Agency Status Remains Uncertain
Golden State has pursued Al Horford, formerly of the Boston Celtics, since before free agency began on June 30. However, more than a week later, Horford has yet to agree to a deal with the Warriors, raising questions about the team’s offseason plans. Reports indicate Horford is carefully weighing multiple offers and may even be considering retirement after a long NBA career.
Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe quoted a league source saying,
“Horford is taking his time while assessing offers from multiple teams but added that the 39-year-old is considering retirement, too,”
signaling the uncertainty surrounding his next steps.
If Horford decides to retire or sign elsewhere, the Warriors may need another veteran presence to fill a backup big man role, leading them to explore options like Kevin Love, who was recently traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal that involved the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat.
Kevin Love’s Fit with Utah and Potential Availability
Kevin Love, nearing 37, finds himself in a Utah Jazz roster focused on younger talent development. The Jazz are expected to struggle in a competitive Western Conference, making the environment less ideal for a veteran player nearing the end of his likely Hall of Fame career. Industry insider Kevin Fischer noted on social media that
“Kevin Love is certainly a buyout candidate in Utah,”
reflecting widespread speculation about his future with the Jazz.
Love’s current contract with Utah runs through next season with a base salary of $4.15 million for 2025-26 and $8 million remaining overall on a two-year deal. This suggests the possibility of a buyout, which could free him to sign elsewhere, including potentially with the Warriors.
How Kevin Love Could Enhance the Warriors’ Bench
Golden State holds sufficient salary cap space to add Kevin Love without complicating their pursuit of Horford, making Love a logical acquisition whether Horford joins the team or not. The Warriors’ current roster features only two centers aside from Draymond Green, a smaller versatile forward. Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quentin Post fill those backup center roles, but the team lacks a veteran big man with Love’s experience and skill set for depth.
Love has not regularly started since the 2020-21 season but remains an effective floor spacer. He boasts a career three-point shooting percentage of 37 percent on nearly five attempts per game, valuable for a big man coming off the bench. His ability to stretch the floor and contribute scoring fits Golden State’s style of play.
Additionally, Love remains a reliable rebounder even with reduced minutes. Over his career, he averages 10 rebounds per game, contributing 6.1 and 4.1 rebounds respectively in his last two seasons while averaging under 17 minutes per game. This rebounding presence could help balance Golden State’s frontcourt rotations.
Implications and Next Steps for the Warriors’ Offseason Plans
The Warriors’ offseason strategy hinges on the outcome of Al Horford’s decision. Should Horford decline to sign or retire, Kevin Love stands out as a viable fallback option that can immediately bolster the team’s bench with shooting, veteran experience, and rebounding. His availability via buyout from Utah presents a timely opportunity for Golden State to address depth concerns without sacrificing salary cap flexibility.
As free agency progresses, the Dubs are expected to continue evaluating their options to solidify the roster ahead of the 2024-25 season. The presence of seasoned players like Love or Horford would offer invaluable stability alongside younger contributors like Jonathan Kuminga. Observers will be watching Horford’s final decision closely, as it will shape Golden State’s moves in the coming weeks.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Al Horford a 5 star recruit?
A. Rivals.com ranked Horford as a four-star recruit in 2004, placing him as the seventh-best power forward and the 36th overall player in the country.