Udonis Haslem: Warriors Won’t Address Needs Just By Adding Al Horford

The Golden State Warriors have been repeatedly linked to free agent big man Al Horford, but Udonis Haslem was once an NBA big man himself, and he suggested Horford won’t fix anything.

“You are not addressing length and athleticism by just bringing in Al,” Haslem said on ESPN earlier this week. “Love Al, but that is not the one that’s gonna push you over the hump.”

And adding a true big is a priority for the Warriors after being bounced by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs, Haslam added.

“You saw the lack of size glaringly against Minnesota last year,” he said. “You saw the lack of athleticism glaringly.”

Per reports, the Warriors are expected to add Horford and re-sign guard De’Anthony Melton as they attempt to get back into true contention. Of course, it’s hard to know how much their core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler has left, regardless of any additions.

Horford, 39, may or may not move the needle.

“When you talk about bringing in Al, I love Al. I would love for him to finish his career with a guy like Steph,” Haslem said. “He’s a guy who’s definitely gonna space the floor and knock down some threes, but he does not address your needs.

“He does not address the need of athleticism. When you talk about bringing in another guy that is older, and he does not address the need of having size.”

Horford played in 60 games for the Boston Celtics last season. The five-time All-Star and 2024 NBA champion averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 42.3% overall, 36.3% from beyond the arc and 89.5% from the foul line. 

Meanwhile, Melton averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season with Golden State, shooting 40.7% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 62.5% from the free-throw line.