As the NBA offseason calendar approaches the dog days of August, Al Horford remains a free agent.
The longtime Boston Celtics center has been strongly connected to the Golden State Warriors, but ESPN’s Anthony Slater [reported on Monday](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45927318/nba-free-agents-2025-jonathan-kuminga-russell-westbrook-josh-giddey) that Horford could still end up calling it quits.
Additionally, free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga’s possible return to Golden State is still very much up in the air, which has directly impacted Horford’s situation.
“Those around the league continue to ticket Horford to the Warriors when the free agency dust ultimately settles. The Kuminga situation continues to hold up business for them, keeping Horford in a holding pattern,” Slater wrote. “But Horford is comfortable waiting. Retirement remains on the table, sources said, though the Warriors appear to be operating as if he is a firm part of their plan next season.”
The insider noted that the five-time All-Star’s “ability to pass and defend fits well into the Warriors’ system” and Horford’s “ability to shoot from the center spot is something they’ve been sorely lacking.”
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The 39-year-old averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 27.7 minutes with a .423/.363/.895 shooting line across 60 games during the 2024-25 regular season. Horford added 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 31.6 minutes per contest across 11 playoff contests.
“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,” Slater wrote.
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