Boston Celtics center/power forward Al Horford is contemplating a surprise move as he eyes a departure from the team with whom he’s been to two NBA Finals, winning in 2024.
During an appearance on ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” longtime NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Horford has been strongly considering three potential avenues in free agency: signing with the Golden State Warriors or the Los Angeles Lakers — or simply calling it a career (hat tip to RealGM for the transcription).
Warriors Favored To Sign Al Horford As He Also Considers Lakers, Retirement https://t.co/HxY0X6KU0u
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 3, 2025
“I’m told he is reviewing multiple options including the Warriors, the Lakers, but also retirement,” Charania said. “He is 39 years old. He just finished season 18. I’m told it would be a surprise if he makes a final decision by this weekend. He certainly has earned the right to make a decision at his own time.”
The 6-foot-9 big man out of Florida would presumably be an interesting fit on the Indiana Pacers, who just let 10-year center Myles Turner walk in free agency on a four-year, $107 million contract with Central Division rival the Milwaukee Bucks.
Horford, for now, has not been linked to the Pacers. He has, however, also been connected to the rising New York Knicks, who vanquished Horford’s Celtics in the second round of the 2025 playoffs, as a possible free agent addition.
Horford certainly doesn’t need to keep playing. He’s won two national titles with Florida, and now a championship with Boston, and seems likely to ride his credentials (which also include All-NBA and All-Defensive team honors) all the way to the Hall of Fame. He has also earned $285.2 million on the court.
“I will say though the Warriors are hopeful of where they stand in all this if Al Horford decides to play again,” Charania said.
Golden State lost its own longstanding center, Kevon Looney, who departed in favor of a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. But Looney wasn’t nearly enough to save the Warriors in the playoffs, who ceded a massive size disadvantage to the lengthy, larger Minnesota Timberwolves during a five-game second round playoff series loss.
Horford would represent a massive upgrade for Golden State, as he’s a solid three-point shooter and could stretch the floor, remains a good defender, and is a strong passer for his position.
Across 60 healthy regular season contests for the 61-21 Celtics in 2024-25, the former five-time All-Star logged averages of 9.0 points on .423/.363/.895 shooting splits, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.9 blocks per bout.