The Golden State Warriors reached the 2024-25 conference semifinals but faced ongoing criticism of their performance. Head Coach Steve Kerr struggled until Jimmy Butler joined, but reliance on him and Stephen Curry’s injury led to an early exit. Dell Curry, Stephen’s father, offered insights on improving the team’s performance that reopened potential connections with a former Boston Celtics big man for the 2025-26 season.
“A lot of teams wish they had an athletic big… Go find one that a team’s willing to give up on, to help your opponent out. That’s the game now. You got to be able to get up and down the floor as a big, shoot the ball, athletic ability, and that position is really important. The Warriors are like a lot of teams in the league, looking for that athletic big,” Dell Curry said, via ClutchPoints.
The Golden State Warriors continue to bolster their roster with key additions like Will Richard, Alex Toohey, and Jahmai Mashack. However, their quest for an athletic big man persists. For that reason, veteran Al Horford could join the franchise as a free agent after leaving Boston Celtics, according to Marc Stein.
At 39, Horford still brings a wealth of experience and proven talent, qualities that would undoubtedly serve as significant assets for head coach Steve Kerr and his team. In the 2024-25 NBA season, he managed to play 60 games with the Boston Celtics. During these games, he averaged 9 points and contributed 6.2 rebounds.
Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics runs down court during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2024.
The Golden State Warriors have prioritized securing Al Horford, according to Kevin Pelton at ESPN. However, they face competition from other teams eager to acquire his talents. With the potential departure of Jonas Valanciunas, the Denver Nuggets have shown increased interest in his services.
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Despite the brewing competition, Marc Stein notes that the Warriors remain frontrunners in the race to sign him, offering a strong possibility of bolstering their roster with his experience and skill set.
His potential addition does not indicate that the team has fully addressed its needs, as young Jonathan Kuminga has not left the Warriors and his situation should be resolved soon to get more additions to the team. Moreover, fans are constantly calling for an upgrade in bench players, who were exposed with injuries to Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry in the postseason.
