The worst-kept secret in basketball is now out. Al Horford will officially be joining the Golden State Warriors, signing a multi-year deal.
This had been the expectation for a while, as the 39-year-old unrestricted free agent weighed his options ahead of his 19th NBA season — a milestone only 26 players in league history have reached.
It’s news the Celtics were bracing for. Boston made an offer to Horford in free agency, but President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens noted that it was “unlikely” the veteran big man would return.
“We made offers to both Luke and Al,” Stevens said back in early July. “We would’ve loved to have had both of them back. I’d say that’s unlikely.”
Horford had two stints in Boston (2016–19 and 2021–25) spanning seven seasons, playing a total of 584 games (regular season and postseason) for the Celtics — the 25th-most in franchise history. His 391 total wins rank 25th as well. In the playoffs, Horford played in 119 games (12th-most in franchise history) and picked up 72 wins, tied with Jayson Tatum and Paul Pierce for eighth-most in franchise history.
He also ranks 20th in franchise playoff scoring (1,367 points), ninth in rebounds (912), 13th in assists (395), fourth in blocks (138), and 11th in steals (101). He played a pivotal role in delivering the long-elusive Banner 18 in 2024 — appearing in all 19 games, starting 15, and averaging 9.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists — while posting a +140 plus-minus, trailing only Jayson Tatum (+147) and Jrue Holiday (+143) for the postseason-best.
“An all-time Celtic. A winner, and did everything he could for this organization,” Stevens said of Horford. “Not only from the games, but also how he impacted our younger players.”
Horford, who has played the 69th-most games in NBA history, will now join the fifth team of his career in Golden State. In 60 games with Boston last season, he averaged 9.0 points on 42.3% shooting, with 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. In his 42 starts, those numbers jumped to 11.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 31.3 minutes per game.
The five-time All-Star was arguably one of Boston’s best defenders last postseason, holding opponents to just 65-of-176 shooting (36.9%) when guarded by him — a staggering 10.7% below expected. He remains one of the few bigs still capable of guarding all five positions. In the postseason, Horford held guards to 26-of-75 (34.7%), forwards to 22-of-61 (36.1%), and centers to 17-of-40 (42.5%). He started nine of Boston’s 11 playoff wins and logged the third-most minutes on the team, behind only Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.
He now joins forces with perennial All-Defensive team member Draymond Green, as well as Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, a group ripe with championship experience.
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