The Boston Celtics have already gone through some major shake-ups this offseason, and another key member of their 2024 NBA championship roster is likely on the way out.
The Celtics traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in June as part of a retooling effort to cut costs. The club also lost fan favorite Luke Kornet to free agency, as he signed a four-year, $41 million deal with the Spurs. Now, they’re preparing to lose another fan favorite to the open market.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Al Horford is “destined” to sign with the Golden State Warriors at some point this summer.
“I continue to hear that Horford is destined to land in the Bay Area,” Stein wrote. “That’s despite the fact that the Warriors currently have only the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel to offer him.”
Horford has been linked to several contending teams this summer, though the Warriors appear to be at the top of his list.
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Golden State isn’t currently able to offer Horford the payday he may have been expecting, but the team would have extra money to spend if Jonathan Kuminga goes elsewhere in restricted free agency.
The 39-year-old center could be a strong fit in Golden State’s three-point shooting attack, providing a veteran presence and a winning mentality.
Horford spent the past four seasons with Boston, during which the club reached the NBA Finals twice. The first appearance ended in a 4-2 series loss to the Warriors in 2022. Over those four regular seasons, the big man averaged 9.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 three-pointers and 1.1 blocks while shooting 39.2 percent from downtown across 28.5 minutes per contest.
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