Free agent center Al Horford has agreed to a multi-year contract with the Golden State Warriors, his agent Jason Glushon confirmed on Sunday. The move comes just after Horford helped the Boston Celtics secure the 2023-24 NBA championship.
Entering his 19th season in the league, Horford is expected to become the Warriors’ new starting center. The 39-year-old veteran, who spent seven of the past nine years with Boston, was Golden State’s top target at the position and had been considering the offer against potential retirement.
Horford gave his verbal commitment to the Warriors on Sunday, with both sides now finalizing the financial terms of the deal. The official signing is anticipated in the coming days, pending the contract resolution for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
The Warriors view Horford as an ideal frontcourt addition who complements the team’s core of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. His combination of size, floor-spacing, passing, and defensive instincts is expected to be a significant upgrade. Offensively, Horford has demonstrated his value as a shooter, making over 100 three-pointers in each of the last three seasons while converting 41% of his attempts from long range.
Defensively, Horford remains one of the NBA’s most effective big men, excelling in his ability to switch onto perimeter players. Last season, opponents had a 46% effective field-goal percentage against him in isolation, the seventh-best mark in the league. He also defended the sixth-most isolation plays, showcasing his durability and defensive prowess.
Horford is one of only four players in NBA history to record at least 900 made three-pointers and 1,300 blocked shots, joining Rasheed Wallace, Brook Lopez, and Clifford Robinson.
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