‘Not the one’… Udonis Haslem warns Golden State Warriors about Al Horford deal for key reason

Udonis Haslem says Al Horford ‘does not address’ the needs of Golden State Warriors

At 39 years old, Horford remains one of the oldest free agents on the market right now. Despite his age, Horford is viewed as someone who can elevate a team in the NBA.

Although Haslem wants Horford to retire with someone like Stephen Curry, he isn’t convinced the 2024 NBA champion fits on the Warriors.

“When you talk about bringing in Al, I love Al, I would love for him to finish his career alongside a guy like Steph, he’s a guy who’s definitely going to space the floor. But he does not address your needs.

“He does not address your needs of athleticism when you are talking about another guy who’s older, and he does not address your need of having size,” Haslem said on ESPN’s NBA Today.

With the Warriors allowing Kevon Looney to walk in free agency, they no longer have an athletic center on the roster.

Big Al stands at 6’9″, which is tall, but not as tall as most centers in the league, with many standing at 7’0.”

Udonis Haslem compares Golden State Warriors’ roster to top teams in the Western Conference

In the modern era, big men shooting well from deep has become normal. However, it hasn’t eliminated the need for a traditional center.

Haslem once again reminded fans of it by making a quick comparison of athletic bigs on the rosters of top teams in the Western Conference ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.

“When you look around the West right now, everybody has size. When you talk about what Houston has with Jabari Smith, KD, Sengun, having Adams come back, and adding Capela.

“When you look at what Denver’s been able to do, what OKC’s been able to do, what Minnesota’s still got with Randle, all those guys have length and athleticism,” Haslem continued.

The Heat legend concluded: “You are not addressing length and athleticism by bringing in Al. I love Al, but that is not the one who is going to push you over the hump.”

Right now, the Warriors are in a complicated situation. While Haslem’s statement about Horford is true, so is Baron Davis pointing out the need for a young star on the Dubs.

Unless Curry and Co. pull off a miraculous run next season, the franchise seems destined for another mediocre run, with or without Horford.