Al Horford Reportedly 'Top Target' for Warriors in Free Agency amid NBA Rumors

 

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly expected to be a top suitor for veteran center Al Horford when the NBA free-agent negotiating period opens Monday at 6 p.m. ET.

NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, and Anthony Slater of The Athletic all reported on the Warriors' interest in Horford on Monday, with Stein and Fischer calling him a "top target."

Slater added that the Warriors are expected to be active early in the negotiating window, especially when it comes to finding veteran help in the form of a stretch center such as Horford, which is reportedly a "high priority" for the organization.

The 39-year-old Horford is preparing to enter his 19th NBA season, and he remains a highly valuable contributor.

Although he is far removed from the five All-Star selections he received earlier in his career, Horford still provides quality frontcourt depth and makes an impact at both ends of the floor.

Horford spent each of the past four seasons and seven of the past nine in Boston, helping the Celtics win a championship in 2024.

Last season, Horford started 42 of the 60 games he appeared in, averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 three-pointers made in 27.7 minutes per contest, while shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Horford's field-goal percentage was well below his career mark of 50.9 percent, but he was right in line with his career production as a three-point shooter, which is 37.7 percent.

Overall, Horford has appeared in 1,138 regular-season games during his career, averaging 12.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 blocks.

Since winning their most recent championship in 2022, the Warriors have not made it past the second round of the playoffs.

They remain very much built to win now, though, with a core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, who are all 35 or older.

It is fair to wonder if they are capable of beating out younger Western Conference teams such as the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets following their addition of future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, but that likely won't stop them from trying.

Given that the Warriors are all in on winning for the next couple of years, Horford would be a logical addition thanks to his championship experience and veteran leadership.

Horford would likely be in line to start for the Warriors next season if they sign him, with Quinten Post backing him up after averaging a solid 8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range as a rookie last season.