At the Horford who leaves Celtics for Warriors in NBA Free Agency seems more likely: NBC Sports Boston

On Jul 3, 2025

Horford has not yet decided his plans for the NBA 2025-26 season. But if you are waiting for the veteran great man to return to the Boston Celtics, do not hold his breath.

Horford is currently evaluating his options in a free agency without restrictions and it seems that the Golden State Warriors are the best candidates for his services. Here is a short roundup of considerable reports relating to Horford from the unofficial start of the NBA Libera Agency on Monday:

On Monday, Michael Scotto of Hoopshype reported that Horford had received interest from Celtics, Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nugget and Cleveland Cavaliers in the Libera Agency.
Tuesday, Marc Stein of Scattack described Horford as a “main objective” for Golden State.
Tuesday, Athletic’s Sam Amick and Dan Woike reported that Horford is under “serious consideration” by the Los Angeles Lakers in addition to the Warriors.
Wednesday, reported Brian Windhorst by Espn NBA Today The fact that Horford is choosing a lot between Lakers, Warriors and retirement, adding that Golden State was “very aggressive” in an attempt to sign Horford.
On Wednesday later, according to what was reported, the Lakers agreed to sign the great man Deandre Ayton, who apparently brought them out of the race for Horford.
Wednesday, Rob Mahoney in Ringer noticed on Podcast Bill Simmons That the state of Horford-to-golden is “treated as a discounted conclusion throughout the League right now”. The conductor of Bill Simmons then replied: “It is happening”, referring to the warriors who sign Horford.
On Wednesday evening, Athletic Anthony Slater reported that Warriors “are waiting for Al Horford’s decision”.

To make it short: most of the signs indicate Horford eventually unite the Warriors or potentially retired at the age of 39 after 18 NBA seasons.

Horford is a loved figure in Boston who has contributed to bringing an 18th to Celtics championship and has spent seven of his last nine NBA seasons with the franchise, including the last four. If the C were preparing for another title in 2025-26, it would be difficult to imagine that Horford sided with Boston at this stage of his career.

But the reality is that the Celtics could face a year of restoring in 2025-26, with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis already exchanged, the great man’s partner Luke Kornet has lost against the San Antonio Spurs in the Free Agency and the Superstar Jayson Totum striker probably for the season due to a broken Achille tendon.

Horford has perfectly adapted to a deep Celtics team able to manage his minutes in the regular season and lean on his veteran leadership in the post -station. But on 2025-26 Celtics-the frontcourts is currently composed of Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman Sr., Luka Garza and Amari Rookie Williams-would need much more from Horford to remain competitive, with a much lower probability of a deep playoff race.

If Horford really chose Golden State, he joined a team full of veterans led by Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler who could use a great expert man after losing Kevon Looney in the free agency.

And while the Warriors are not exactly favored to the title in the Western Conference, they are even more in Boston’s “win-now” mode, which could try to further reduce the costs to obtain the second apron of the luxury tax.