Celtics' Veteran Considering Potential Retirement Amid Lakers And Warriors Interest

Al Horford, an 18-year veteran and an NBA champion, could potentially end his career this summer as sources claim the 39-year-old veteran is considering retiring from the league. The 6'9 stretch forward, who also plays as a backup center, averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in his last season with the Celtics, while shooting 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the three-point line.

"I'm told he is reviewing multiple options, including the Warriors, the Lakers, but also retirement," said Shams Charania, the NBA Insider with ESPN. 

"He is 39 years old. He just finished season 18. I'm told it would be a surprise if he makes a final decision by this weekend. He certainly has earned the right to make a decision on his own time. I will say, though, the Warriors are hopeful of where they stand in all this if Al Horford decides to play again."

According to sources, the Warriors and Lakers are among several teams interested in bringing the veteran onto their roster this free agency. But not everyone has the longevity of Chris Paul and LeBron James. At his age, it may be time for Horford to hang up his boots.

What Horford Brings To A Team Like The Warriors Or Lakers

Horford is not at a stage in his career where he can be a significant starter for a championship contender, simply because younger talent may outplay him. But he certainly still has the size and skill to maneuver his way inside the paint on post-ups as well as stretch the floor and be a threat from beyond the arc. He has averaged 12.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, while shooting 50.9% from the field and 37.7% from three-point range in his career.   

The Lakers need size inside the paint, as their lack of size became a vulnerability during the 2025 Playoffs against the Timberwolves, where Rudy Gobert had his way with them near the rim. But following Kevon Looney's departure from the Warriors and the Lakers acquiring Deandre Ayton, it seems more likely that he will join the Warriors, as they might give him more minutes as well as more money, since they are a bit more desperate to gain some size on their roster. 

What Horford brings to a roster is much more than his skill and physicality. Horford's former Celtics teammate, Jrue Holiday, who was traded to the Blazers earlier this summer, perfectly described his contributions and said he would run through a brick wall for Horford during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Holiday described getting Horford a title in 2024 as "one of the ultimate goals of [the 2023-24] season. I’d run through a brick wall for him.”

“I think sometimes you just have those people that bring that out of you,” said Holiday. "They're great humans, they want the best, not only for you, but for everybody around them. They're selfless. They think about other people before themselves. And they do everything for everybody else and then don't expect credit. I feel like people like that, you want everything great for them."

"And then you also see his career, what he's done and how he's been the best player on his team, and then how he handles a situation like this, where there's so much talent. He’s for sure a Hall of Famer, and I'm pretty sure Al could really be like strutting his stuff, and he doesn’t. He's so respectful, he's so humble. Guys like that, you just want to run through a brick wall for.”

Horford is the perfect veteran and teammate to contribute to a growing team like the Lakers or Warriors. With the Warriors, he may even have another shot at the title, but the Lakers seem to be headed towards a rebuild around Luka Doncic, a team that may be a few seasons away from contending. Horford has a tough decision to make this summer.