Al Horford Eyed Warriors Contract Because Celtics Couldn't Offer NBA Title Opportunity

Al Horford left the Boston Celtics to join the Golden State Warriors in free agency in part for the potential of a larger contract and in part because he was concerned his former team couldn't offer him a shot at another championship before retirement, he told The Athletic's Nick Friedell.

"I think that where Boston was as a team, even though I called them my home and everything was there for me, they just weren't in a position to offer me the opportunity that I wanted," Horford told Friedell.

When asked if he felt the Warriors would be his last team, the 39-year-old told Friedell, "I think so."

Horford spent seven seasons in Boston over two separate stints with the Celtics, first competing for the team from 2016 to 2019 before returning in 2021. He helped Boston win the 2024 title before hitting free agency this summer.

Celtics general manager Brad Stevens said in September he had made Horford an offer to return for an eighth season, but that he had ultimately been "handcuffed" by the second apron.

Horford ultimately agreed with the Warriors to a two-year, $11.7 million deal with a second-year player option, per Spotrac.

Contract terms don't seem to have been the only thing driving Horford's decision. The veteran center told Friedell another factor was the fact that Jayson Tatum, who ruptured his right Achilles tendon during the Celtics' run to the Eastern Conference Finals last spring, might not return during the 2025-26 season.

"There was two things there," Horford said, per Friedell. "I think the financial part was a component, but more than that, it was the winning part of it, trying to contend for a championship.

"And I think there was a lot of things up in the air — and it just felt like they weren't in the same, that same vision, obviously, because JT getting hurt, that takes a big toll. So I think at that point I really had to — up until then I was staying in Boston the whole time."

It's not yet clear what exactly Horford's role will be in Golden State, where Warriors head coach Steve Kerr will be looking to balance him and Draymond Green in the frontcourt.

When asked in a recent interview by Kerith Burke of NBC Sports Bay Area & California's Dubs Talk whether Horford would be in the starting lineup, Kerr answered, "Some guys you have to build a lineup for, and around, and other guys can play in any lineup. Al Horford can play in any lineup.

"He can be a four and space the floor, and play with Trayce [Jackson-Davis] or Quinten [Post] and have Draymond be the five. He can also be the five and put a five-man shooting lineup out there. So, it's really exciting just to think about the possibilities."

Kerr will get his first look at how Horford and Green fit in his regular-season lineup when the Warriors tip off the 2025-26 campaign next Tuesday against the host Los Angeles Lakers.

The Celtics are meanwhile finishing out the preseason with Neemias Queta in the lead to win the job as starting center ahead of next Wednesday's season opener against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, per Mass Live's Brian Robb.

While finalizing the center depth chart without Horford, Boston will hope to get good news about Tatum's recovery in the near future. ESPN's Shams Charania reported last week that Boston hasn't ruled out the possibility the star will return at some point this season.