Al Horford still has a decision to make.
Will the former Boston Celtics center retire? Or will he sign with the Golden State Warriors?
The matter is complicated by the fact that the Warriors sort of need to get Jonathan Kuminga's contract done before completing anything with Horford.
According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, Horford doesn't mind waiting, though.
"Horford is comfortable waiting," Slater writes. "Retirement remains on the table, sources said, though the Warriors appear to be operating as if he is a firm part of their plan next season. Horford would slide in as the presumed starting center, lessening the regular-season load on Draymond Green, which is a priority. Horford's ability to pass and defend fits well into the Warriors' system. His ability to shoot from the center spot is something they've been sorely lacking."
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At 39 years old, Horford isn't a guy who the Warriors can necessarily count on for huge minutes or for 82 regular season games.
But he's still an effective defender for a big guy, and he has passing ability and outside shooting touch.
Horford's skillset would work on essentially every team, and it certainly would in Golden State.
The fact that retirement is still on the table, per Slater, is interesting, if only because that could throw a major wrench into the Warriors' plans.
At this point, they aren't finding another center like Horford out there. If he suddenly chose to walk away from basketball, Golden State would be backed into an uncomfortable corner.
But if he does sign with the Warriors, Horford joins quite the veteran core with Green, Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. They're all getting up there in years, but they would enter this season with championship aspirations.
The Western Conference is a gauntlet, and nothing is a given. But for the Warriors to maximize their potential, they still need Horford to wind up in their uniform.
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