Veteran Al Horford, 39, has ended his run with the Boston Celtics and signed a multiyear deal with the Golden State Warriors, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania. The center spent seven of the last nine seasons in Boston, serving as a key piece in the team’s 2024 championship.
After his signing with the Warriors was confirmed, Horford shared a heartfelt farewell message to Celtics fans, thanking them for the way they welcomed him and his family.
He said that from the moment they arrived, the city embraced them warmly, and this chapter of his career will always hold a special place in his heart. He noted that raising banner No. 18 with Boston is a memory he will always treasure and expressed eternal gratitude to both the fans and the organization.
His departure follows those of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, leaving a major gap in Boston’s frontcourt rotation. The Celtics will now rely on returning players like Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman Sr. as well as additions such as Luka Garza and Chris Boucher.
Last season, Horford averaged nine points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 36.3 percent from three across 60 games. In 2023–2024, he shot 41.9 percent from beyond the arc, establishing himself as a veteran leader and perimeter threat who helped the Celtics capture the title.
In Golden State, he is expected to fit in immediately. His outside shot aligns perfectly with the team’s floor-spacing, three-point-heavy system, while his interior defense adds a resource the Warriors previously lacked. At the same time, he will ease Draymond Green’s workload during the regular season, project as a starter in the paint, and mentor young big men Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quentin Post.
His presence will also relieve Stephen Curry of some offensive pressure, as Horford’s three-point shooting can pull defenders to the perimeter, creating more space for Curry to attack.
For Jimmy Butler, Horford’s arrival will allow him to focus more on scoring and playmaking on the wing, knowing that he has a veteran behind him capable of covering defensive lapses and securing crucial rebounds.
At the team level, Horford’s tactical IQ and passing ability mesh well with Golden State’s philosophy of constant ball movement, improving both offensive fluidity and defensive stability in the paint.
