Celtics Rumors: NBA Insider Provides Massive Al Horford Update

A longtime NBA insider has finally supplied a critical update on the free agency of 2024 Celtics champion starting center Al Horford. Horford took over for injured Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis, the nominal starter, in that capacity for most of the playoffs in both 2024 and 2025, including most of the '24 Finals.

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The 6-foot-9 Florida product, 39, was one of the more intriguing big men on the board heading into the summer. But his free agency — and that of every other talented center/power forward beneath him in the market — has ground to a halt of late.

Now, Marc J. Spears of Andscape/ESPN has shed some light as to why (h/t to Oh No He Didn't for the video clip).

Marc Spears: "I saw Gary Payton II two days ago I'm like what's going on? He's like waiting on JK. He is, Al Horford is" pic.twitter.com/DrNgbvvX1k
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 31, 2025

Spears revealed on ESPN that Horford is all but assured to sign with the Golden State Warriors and officially depart the Celtics this summer — but he's still waiting on the team to figure out the restricted free agent contract of 22-year-old power forward Jonathan Kuminga, who recently rejected a two-season $45 million offer from Golden State.

The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings have both offered the Warriors sign-and-trade packages for Kuminga, and have both been roundly rejected by Golden State president Mike Dunleavy Jr.

"I saw [Warriors guard] Gary Payton II two days ago I'm like, 'What's going on?' He's like waiting on JK," Perkins confirmed. "He is, Al Horford is."

A beloved teammate and a former five-time All-Star, one-time All-NBA Third Teamer and one-time All-Defensive Teamer, Horford's CV looks good enough to earn him a Basketball Hall of Fame nod at this stage — especially one factors in his two consecutive NCAA championships with the Gators.

Horford remains a great passer for his position, a solid and versatile scorer, and a respectable defender capable of guarding both power forwards and centers, even ahead of what would be his 19th NBA season.

In 60 healthy games for the 61-21 Celtics last season (42 starts), Horford averaged 9.0 points on .423/.363/.895 shooting splits, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.6 steals in 27.7 minutes per game. His age always makes him something of an injury liability, but so far that hasn't manifested in major absences.

Horford has only played in over 70 games once in the last nine years, but outside of the 2020-21 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder (when he was sent home midway through the year as the Thunder looked to trade him), he hasn't played fewer than 60. The Warriors could definitely use Horford's floor-spacing and defense. Even at this age, Horford would represent Golden State's best traditional big man center in years (with apologies to the 6-foot-6 Draymond Green, who occasionally slots in at the five by necessity).

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