Celtics’ Al Horford Predicted to Sign $11.7 Million Deal With West Squad in Free Agency

May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Former 2024 Boston Celtics champion big man Al Horford — probably the best unsigned, unrestricted free agent — has been pegged to abandon Boston and join a Western Conference contender this summer.

The Celtics did reportedly tender the 6-foot-9 Florida product a veteran's minimum contract offer, but it sounds like the 39-year-old may have been offered more money to play for a team that has more of a legitimate chance at a title.

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Dan Favale of Bleacher Report predicts that Horford will ultimately agree to a two-season, $11.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception deal with the Golden State Warriors this summer, with a player option for 2026-27.

"Al Horford is most likely bound for the Golden State Warriors," Favale writes. Like a handful of others, he's just waiting on the Jonathan Kuminga situation (debacle?) to resolve itself."

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"Depending on how the JK soap opera plays out, the Warriors could need to change up their offer," Favale adds. "If Kuminga proves to be ultra-expensive, it might leave them with only the veteran's minimum to dangle. If he leaves or gets moved in a sign-and-trade, they could technically access the entire non-taxpayer mid-level exception."

Horford was already offered the veteran's minimum by Boston, although after their non-competitive, cost-cutting other moves this summer might dissuade him from returning to the team with whom he won the 2024 title.

Non-consecutively, the former five-time All-Star power forward/center has spent seven of his 18 pro seasons with Boston. He has also logged time with the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Incredibly, Horford is one of just three players from his draft class who's still active in the league today, along with No. 2 pick Kevin Durant — who miraculously remains a maximum-salaried All-Star, even at age 36 — and No. 4 pick Mike Conley.

Boston already appears to have fully moved on from its 2023-25 center rotation, anchored by starter Kristaps Porzingis (who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks), Horford, and third-string option Luke Kornet (who signed with the San Antonio Spurs in free agency).

The Celtics signed Chris Boucher and Luka Garza to veteran's minimum deals, and seem poised to also elevate fourth-string 7-footer Neemias Queta to real rotation minutes in 2025-26. Power forward Xavier Tillman could also see some minutes at the five.

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