For the most part, the storylines about the Golden State Warriors have been focused on their situation with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, a potential starter. However, there’s one other player in this summer’s free agent class who has been earmarked by the Warriors in Al Horford. The 39-year-old hybrid big is “clearly ticketed to be their starting center if that gets wrapped up,” ESPN insider Anthony Slater reports.
Warriors To Add Al Horford To Starting Lineup
A five-time All-Star, Horford was a full-time starter for the first 16 seasons of his career. In 1,180 games (playoffs included), he had only come off the bench in 12. It speaks to his universality that four teams and seven head coaches decided to start him in that time.
A Superior Floor-Spacer
Listed at 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds, Horford hasn’t always played the same way or role.
Early in his career, he was a face-up big man who usually avoided taking 3s though he was capable of making them. However, the Warriors and point guard Stephen Curry changed the game during his first championship run. Recognizing the shift, Horford began to make the 3-ball a staple of his shot diet.
From 2015-16 to 2018-19, 27.9 percent of his shots came from beyond the arc. He made 37.1 percent of those 3-point attempts. Prior to that, just 1.2 percent of his total field goal attempts were 3. This allowed him to be weaponized as a modern-day stretch-big, helping teams maximize their spacing.
In fact, his Celtics had the top record in the East (53-29) in 2016-17 and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2017-18, Boston reached the Eastern Conference Finals again. It was their first time making it to the Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons since Hall of Fame forward Larry Bird was in uniform.
This wasn’t all because of Horford and his bag of tricks, of course. Nevertheless, this stretch helped him cement a reputation as one of the most impactful stretch-fives in the NBA.
Extending His Career
Of course, Horford was unlikely to be able to play at an All-Star level for his entire career. However, becoming a prolific 3-point shooter allowed him to transition into a simplified offensive role that still allowed him to be effective. This has been particularly apparent over the past three seasons.
Since 2022-23, Horford has taken 66.0 percent of his total shots from 3-point range, converting 40.9 percent of his attempts. In 2023-24 and 2024-25 (regular season), he posted career-high on-court plus-minuses of 11.4 points per 100 possessions and 12.1 points per 100 possessions, respectively. During Boston’s title run in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, 68.8 percent of his shot attempts were 3s. He posted a career-high on-court plus-minus (12.8 points per 100 possessions) that postseason.
In Golden State, Horford’s growth as a 3-point threat will be more appreciated than ever though. That isn’t just because Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has centered his offensive philosophy on the 3-ball. Last season, rookie Quinten Post’s performance as their starting five illuminated the success they could have with a floor-spacing center.
That being said, the Warriors want to make life easier for cornerstones Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler. Kuminga too, if he returns. There are few simpler ways to do that than with a player that can drag opposing centers out of the paint.
Defense Matters, Too
Horford’s on-court contributions aren’t confined to his 3-ball. He’s still capable of scoring from all three levels. He’s a solid playmaker, especially compared to other bigs. He isn’t an elite rebounder but he’s pretty effective for an undersized center.
Then there’s the defense.
Al Horford defense vs Luka. 38 yrs old still getting it done!
https://t.co/mRSEDEZdr3 pic.twitter.com/DpzRfLwDpy
—
(@fsh733) March 9, 2025
Again, Horford doesn’t have the size of a traditional center. Still, he’s able to guard those who do because of his textbook technique.He can alter shots at the rim with his anticipation, timing and quick hands
Al Horford defense on Jokic
My favorite backup center option without a doubt in mind pic.twitter.com/R3OSzT7WZS
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) July 3, 2025
He’s also capable of guarding out in space. This is one reason why he’s been deployed as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo’s primary defender despite the Greek Freak being a two-time NBA MVP. In fact, NBA University ranked Horford as Antetokounmpo’s fourth-best defender in 2024-25.
© David Gonzales-Imagn Images
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