Does Al Horford plan for Warriors to be his final stop?

Al Horford signed a two-year, $11.6M contract with the Golden State Warriors toward the end of the offseason. The veteran center will now plug a long-standing gap in the middle of the floor for head coach Steve Kerr's roster.

Before hitting the free-agency market earlier this summer, Horford was a long-standing veteran presence for the Boston Celtics. He played a key role in helping the franchise win a championship in 2024. 

However, at 39 years old, Horford is expecting the Bay Area to be his final stop in the NBA. He recently discussed his future in the league during a conversation with The Athletic's Nick Friedell.

"Yeah, I think so," Horford told Friedell. "...I think at this point in my career, where I see everything, that is my expectation, just to be here."

The Warriors have assembled a roster full of veteran talent. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Horford are all closer to 40 years old than 30. Yet, that same quartet will be the spine of a roster that enters the new season with hopes of contending for a championship.

Al Horford's plans will hurt Boston Celtics fans

Despite Horford leaving Boston this summer, some sections of the fanbase still held out hope that he could return for the 2026-27 season. Horford has a player option for the second year of his contract. He could easily opt out and head back to Boston once Jayson Tatum is healthy. 

Nevertheless, the veteran center has made his plans clear. Barring a trade, Golden State will be the last stop on an impressive career. Horford's story as a Celtic has ended, and the final chapter of his career is underway. And while that will be difficult for Celtics fans to accept, they will undoubtedly cheer him on from a distance. That is, of course, unless the Warriors and Celtics meet in the NBA Finals.

Fortunately for all involved, that is unlikely to happen during Horford's tenure, as Boston is a few years away from getting back into the championship picture.