The Golden State Warriors were the favorites to sign free agent center Al Horford this offseason until three teams emerged to crowd them.
According to Andscape’s Marc Spears, the Warriors’ Western Conference rivals Los Angeles Lakers and two teams from the Eastern Conference have expressed interest in the 39-year-old center.
“Golden State, obviously, expected him to sign last week. He didn’t,” Spears said on ESPN’s “NBA Today” on July 14. “Lakers, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, I believe, are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table.
“He’s still considering retiring; he’s not in any hurry. He’s got a sixth kid coming on the way, he lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. But I’m hearing that whether it’s Golden State and to a lesser extent the Lakers, being away from the family that far isn’t going to be in that decision.”
Horford, who earned $9.5 million last season, averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while making nearly two 3-pointers per game on 36.3% shooting from beyond the arc.
Warriors Want to Add Stretch Center
The Warriors have been looking for a stretch center even before losing Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency. Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made that clear during a recent interview.
“I think we learned a lot about the team this past year, especially since we’ve added Jimmy [Butler],” Dunleavy told ESPN’s Katie George during halftime of the Warriors’ NBA Summer League opener in Las Vegas on July 11. “We feel like we have a group going forward that’s going to be pretty good. What do we need to add? I think from that standpoint, we want to look to the frontcourt to add some shooting, in the backcourt some defense.
“Offensively, guys that can shoot, pass and dribble. There’s tons of needs, but I think we’ve zeroed in on some areas that we can address. As the summer unfolds, we’ll continue to try and do that.”
Horford has been playing that stretch role for the Boston Celtics for the past four seasons, winning one championship in 2024.
Last season, coach Steve Kerr leaned on then-rookie Quinten Post in the role. With Looney gone, the Warriors need a veteran big man to mentor Post while also helping them in their win-now window and easing the burden of Draymond Green.
Kings’ Offer Rejected
The Warriors have yet to make a move in free agency pending the resolution of their restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga‘s situation.
They recently rejected a trade offer from the Sacramento Kings for Kuminga, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
“They’ve drawn inbound calls in recent days, most notably from the Sacramento Kings, who floated an offer of Devin Carter, Dario Šarić and two second-round picks, league sources said. The Warriors have so far balked at what they felt was a buy-low attempt, league sources said,” Slater wrote.
Slater added that the Warriors are looking for “a promising young player, plus a first-round pick” in a sign-and-trade scenario for the 22-year-old athletic forward.
