Newest Warrior explains reasoning for signing with the team

Justin Backer

Newest Warrior explains reasoning for signing with the team image

After a long and quiet offseason, the Golden State Warriors officially brought in their biggest addition by signing Al Horford to a multi-year deal.

Recently, the new starting center for the Warriors explained his reasoning for signing with the team at his introductory press conference.

“It's a great opportunity to compete and to win at a high level,” Horford said. “When I think about the Warriors, I think about Steph, Draymond, and Steve Kerr. Seeing Jimmy Butler here and what he did in that second half of the season after the trade and how they're playing, for me, if there was one place I was going to leave it was for this.”

Horford’s ability to space the floor, and provide physicality on the interior will prove valuable to the Warriors this season. In his career, Horford is shooting 37.7 percent from three-point range, making him a perfect fit for the Warriors. 

Prior to joining Golden State, Horford spent the last four seasons with the Boston Celtics — his second stint with the Celtics — and was an integral part of the team’s 2024 championship run, and their run to the NBA Finals 2022, where they ironically faced the Warriors. 

Horford now joins a Warriors team that is looking to secure another championship while Stephen Curry is still a premier talent in the NBA. Equipped with a roster capable of going on a deep playoff run, the Warriors are going for it now to try and maximize their championship window. 

Justin Backer

Justin Backer is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Justin began his sports writing career in 2023 and has previously written for Empire Sports Media and currently covers FAU Athletics for The Palm Beach Post.