The Golden State Warriors need a starting center. The Warriors’ free agency moves haven’t amounted to anything so far, but many are expecting them to bring in a new big man this offseason.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report wrote about his predictions for the NBA’s best available free agents, and the Warriors landing a center made the list.
“Al Horford is most likely bound for the Golden State Warriors. Like a handful of others, he’s just waiting on the Jonathan Kuminga situation (debacle?) to resolve itself.
Depending on how the JK soap opera plays out, the Warriors could need to change up their offer.
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.
Count on the middle ground winning out again, and the 39-year-old joining Golden State for the taxpayer’s mid-level exception.
Prediction: Al Horford signs with the Warriors for two years and $11.7 million, with a player option for 2026-27.”
While everyone is expecting a Warriors-Al Horford free agency signing, this number makes things real. The Warriors would be getting Horford for relatively cheap in this prediction. The Warriors would have to be careful about the player option in this deal.
Horford is old and is already considering retirement. The Warriors would have to hope that he either proves next season that he still has some left in the tank or that he gives them one last great season before going into retirement.
The Warriors should be signing Horford soon. They need to hope that the Jonathan Kuminga contract negotiations are solved soon. If not, Horford might not even be taking a deal like this one.
More NBA: Per Curry’s request, Warriors likely to sign NBA champ who averaged 6.5 ppg last year