The Golden State Warriors need a new big man after Kevon Looney left for the New Orleans Pelicans, and they’ve got their eyes on veteran Al Horford.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Horford “is destined” to join the Warriors this offseason despite the team only having the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel to offer him.
Stein and Jake Fischer called Horford the Warriors’ “top target” in free agency earlier this month. The 39-year-old just finished a two-year, $19.5 million deal with the Boston Celtics.
Horford put up solid numbers last season with Boston. In 60 games (42 starts), he averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in about 28 minutes per game.
His shooting was pretty impressive too – 42.3% from the field, 36.3% from three-point range, and a career-best 89.5% at the free throw line.
But here’s the twist: Horford might just hang up his sneakers for good.
According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, the 18-year veteran is one of the few remaining free agents still on the market because he’s weighing his options carefully.
“Horford’s future remains unclear,” Himmelsbach reported. “A league source said Monday that Horford is taking his time while assessing offers from multiple teams but added that the 39-year-old is considering retirement, too.”
If Golden State doesn’t work out, the Denver Nuggets might come calling – especially if Jonas Valanciunas decides to play in the EuroLeague.
The New York Knicks were another possibility mentioned by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps last month. Bontemps pointed out that Horford has a long friendship with Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, as they’ve played together for the Dominican National team.
“Al Horford is a free agent,” Bontemps said on ESPN’s “Hoop Collective” podcast. “I don’t think at this point it makes a lot of sense for… Horford to be back in Boston. Maybe he will be, but given where things are with the Celtics, I think he’s now much more in play than he might have been a month ago.”
Despite these connections to New York, Horford doesn’t seem interested in the Big Apple. After nearly two decades in the NBA, the former first-round pick will likely either join the Warriors or retire with a championship ring from his time in Boston.