The Golden State Warriors are positioned as the leading team pursuing veteran center Al Horford for the upcoming NBA season. The move aims to manage Draymond Green workload reduction while strengthening the team’s frontcourt shooting, a critical need following recent roster changes. Horford is expected to assume the role of the Warriors’ starting center, bringing veteran experience and floor spacing capabilities to the lineup.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater identified Horford as the “presumed starting center” for Golden State next season. His addition is designed to lower the regular-season minutes Green typically handles, prioritizing a healthier and more sustainable rotation.
Horford would slide in as the presumed starting center, lessening the regular-season load on Draymond Green, which is a priority,
Slater wrote.
Horford’s ability to pass and defend fits well into the Warriors’ system. His ability to shoot from the center spot is something they’ve been sorely lacking.
Al Horford’s Veteran Presence and Statistical Impact
Last campaign, Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, hitting nearly two three-pointers per contest at a 36.3% conversion rate. During the Boston Celtics’ championship run the previous year, he contributed 8.6 points per game while improving his three-point shooting to 41.9%. Horford’s perimeter shooting and passing prowess offer Golden State a veteran stretch big man who can complement the offensive dynamics created by stars Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
Their scoring threat will draw defensive attention, opening cleaner looks for Horford on the perimeter. His skill set aligns with Golden State’s effort to enhance spacing and ball movement from the center position.
Challenges Surrounding Horford’s Age and Physical Availability
Horford’s signing presents some risks due to his age; at 39, he is among the oldest players likely to be featured prominently in the Warriors’ rotation. Slater noted that Horford has not consistently played both games in back-to-back sets recently, which raises concerns about his ability to log heavy minutes every night.
He hasn’t been playing both sides of back-to-backs. The Warriors can’t rely on him to be an every-night 25-minute option. But the desire is to have him in the lineup when it matters and open up space for five-man combinations, which would especially benefit a downhill driver like Kuminga.
The Warriors face a challenging schedule this season, featuring 15 back-to-back games, tied for the second-most in the NBA. Adding Horford to a starting lineup where four players will be in their mid-to-late 30s makes Golden State one of the oldest teams league-wide, creating questions about endurance and injury management.
Contract Delays Due to Kuminga Standoff
Golden State’s pursuit of Horford has been complicated by ongoing contract negotiations with their restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors have not signed Horford so far because the Kuminga situation remains unresolved, creating a holding pattern around the veteran’s free agency status.
Those around the league continue to ticket Horford to the Warriors when the free agency dust ultimately settles,
Slater wrote.
The Kuminga situation continues to hold up business for them, keeping Horford in a holding pattern.
Improving Frontcourt Shooting Remains a Priority for Golden State
Even before losing Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency, the Warriors sought to add a stretch big man. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made the team’s priorities clear in July during the NBA Summer League.
I think we learned a lot about the team this past year, especially since we’ve added Jimmy [Butler],
Dunleavy said during halftime of the Warriors’ summer league opener.
We feel like we have a group going forward that’s going to be pretty good. What do we need to add? I think from that standpoint, we want to look to the frontcourt to add some shooting, in the backcourt some defense.
Offensively, guys that can shoot, pass and dribble. There’s tons of needs, but I think we’ve zeroed in on some areas that we can address. As the summer unfolds, we’ll continue to try and do that.
Horford has filled a similar stretch center role for the Celtics over the past four seasons. Last season, the Warriors relied on rookie Quinten Post to fill that position, but with Looney’s departure, Golden State is seeking a seasoned big man to both mentor Post and support their immediate championship aspirations. Horford’s experience is expected to ease Green’s minutes and provide tactical versatility on offense and defense.
Ongoing Kuminga Negotiations Impact Team Strategy
The Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga have resumed negotiations after a recent stall, but both sides remain separated on key contract terms. While there has been dialogue, actual progress towards an agreement has been limited.
Well, there’s been renewed conversations between the two sides,
Slater reported on ESPN‘s NBA Today.
There’s dialogue, but as you all know, talking doesn’t necessarily equal movement. They’ve shared contract concepts and opinions about the whole thing between each other this last week, dating back to last weekend.
One significant sticking point is Kuminga’s hesitation to accept a deal structured with the expectation of a midseason trade. He prefers a contract that reflects his status as a core building block rather than a negotiable trade asset.
Kuminga wants more of a player-friendly deal, more of a signal that he’s a building block, not a trade asset,
Slater explained.
The 22-year-old forward has rejected the Warriors’ current offer of two years and $45 million, which includes a team option and removes his no-trade clause, further prolonging resolution. How Kuminga’s situation unfolds could dictate the Warriors’ ability to finalize Horford’s signing and shape the team’s roster strategy as they pursue another NBA title.