Warriors Receive Al Horford Update Amid Retirement Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt John | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 5:01 PM ET

Even at 39 years old, Al Horford is one of the best big men remaining in free agency. The Boston Celtics center is coming off a season where he averaged nine points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from three.

There has been speculation he may retire, but Horford still has a strong market, as ESPN's Brian Windhorst confirmed on NBA Today on Wednesday that the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers are interested in him, though that was before the latter signed Deandre Ayton.

Windhorst also added that Golden State, LA or retirement were the decisions on the table for Horford. He won't be returning to the Celtics from the sounds of things. He has left the franchise before, as he left Boston to join the Philadelphia 76ers. At 39 years old, Horford likely won't get the same contract the Sixers gave him in 2019.

No matter how much he will sign for, Bill Simmons made it sound like Horford will join the Warriors in his latest podcast while talking with The Ringer's Rob Mahoney. When the two discussed Horford, Simmons was blunt.

"Horford's going to Golden State," Simmons said when the Celtics center came up.

Mahoney responded with, "That's basically treated as a foregone conclusion around the league right now. Everyone is assuming that Horford will be a Golden State Warrior, and we'll see if that ends up happening or not."

In response, Simmons left nothing to interpretation, saying, "It's happening.”

The Warriors are in desperate need of a center, as they lost Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason. Also, they haven't had a floor-spacing big man since Marreese Speights last played for them in 2016.

While retirement is seemingly a decision Horford is weighing, it seems Golden State has a spot for him should he choose to play another year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: