Al Horford Signs Multi-Year Deal with Golden State Warriors

The NBA’s free agency period has delivered one of its most intriguing moves yet: veteran center Al Horford has officially agreed to join the Golden State Warriors roster on a multi-year deal, closing his long and successful chapter with the Boston Celtics. The decision not only reshapes Boston’s frontcourt but also adds a proven winner to a Warriors team intent on climbing back into championship contention.

For the Celtics, Horford’s departure marks the end of an era. Over the past two seasons, Boston has parted ways with all three of its primary rotation centers Kristaps Porziņģis, Luke Kornet, and now Horford. While Porziņģis and Kornet found new homes earlier this offseason, Horford’s move west hits differently. At 39, he was still more than a veteran presence: he remained a stabilizing force during Boston’s 2024 title run and the team’s 61-win campaign last year.

Celtics management, however, has shifted toward cost-cutting and retooling after Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury derailed their repeat hopes. With Jrue Holiday and Porziņģis traded away in cap-saving deals, Horford’s exit feels like the final pivot point away from the group that lifted Banner 18 in 2024.

Why Golden State Wanted Horford

For the Warriors, the signing is about both fit and urgency. Golden State’s style has always demanded a versatile big man one who can defend on the perimeter, pass in motion, and knock down shots to space the floor. Horford checks all of those boxes.

Last season, he averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while shooting 36% from three-point range on over five attempts per game. Defensively, he ranked among the league’s best isolation stoppers, holding opponents to a 46% effective field goal percentage in those situations. His ability to switch onto wings and guard multiple positions makes him a seamless fit next to Draymond Green and newcomer Jimmy Butler III.

The Warriors lost Kevon Looney to New Orleans earlier in the summer, and while Looney was a beloved figure, Horford brings more offensive versatility and championship experience. His presence in the frontcourt alongside Green and Quinten Post gives coach Steve Kerr the kind of spacing and IQ that keeps Golden State’s ball movement flowing.

The Retirement Question

Horford reportedly wrestled with retirement before committing to Golden State. With over 1,300 career games and more than 42,000 minutes played across 18 seasons, he has little left to prove. Still, the allure of joining a Warriors roster built around Stephen Curry, Butler, and Green was too strong.

At 39, Horford is chasing one more ring, and his decision suggests he believes the Warriors’ window isn’t closed just yet. His social media posts confirmed the move, thanking Boston fans while expressing excitement about “a new challenge in the Bay.”

What It Means Going Forward

For Boston, the move leaves them scrambling to address their frontcourt. Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman, and newly signed Luka Garza remain on the roster, but none offer the blend of defense, shooting, and leadership Horford provided. Unless the Celtics pull off another trade, their title chances look far slimmer heading into 2026.

For Golden State, the signing is a statement of intent. They’ve doubled down on experience, betting that Horford’s leadership and championship pedigree will help them return to the top of the Western Conference. Analysts already see him as a natural fit in Steve Kerr’s system, with his ability to stretch the floor and defend high-leverage possessions making him a potential difference-maker in the postseason.

Horford leaves Boston as one of the most respected players of the modern Celtics era. Beloved for his unselfish play and steady leadership, he was instrumental in the team’s 2024 championship and served as a mentor to younger stars like Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Even without retiring in green, he will be remembered as a Celtic great.

Now, as he begins his 19th NBA season, Al Horford isn’t just extending his career he’s betting on himself and on Golden State’s ability to contend. If the Warriors return to the Finals, this signing may be remembered as the piece that kept their dynasty hopes alive. Check more NBA free agency news to follow updates.