Al Horford explains his departure from the Boston Celtics and arrival to the Golden State Warriors

When Al Horford returned to the Boston Celtics in 2021, many assumed that the veteran Dominican player would end his career there. His leadership, court intelligence, and bond with the franchise seemed to fit perfectly with the identity of a team accustomed to competing for titles.

However, at 39 years old, Horford made an unexpected decision this summer: to leave Boston and embark on a new path. "They simply weren't in a position to offer me the opportunity I wanted," he confessed in an interview with Nick Friedell (The Athletic).

After winning the championship in the 2023-24 season and recording 61 victories in the following regular season, Boston seemed destined to remain at the top. But the landscape changed drastically with the ruptured Achilles tendon of Jayson Tatum during the 2025 playoffs. His star's injury was compounded by several financial decisions that altered the team's structure: the trades of Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday, two key pieces in the rotation.

With management focused on reducing salary cap, the Celtics also couldn't offer competitive contracts to players like Luke Kornet or to Horford himself. For a veteran accustomed to contending for championships, the message was clear. "There were two factors," Horford explained. "Money was a part, but more than that, it was the possibility to compete. I felt that the team had many uncertainties, that the vision was no longer the same. JT's injury changed everything. Until then, my intention was to stay in Boston."

As the summer progressed, Horford realized that the franchise's direction was diverging from his own. "When I saw them parting ways with Jrue and Kristaps, I understood it was a domino effect. It was all about salary, of course, but it was tough. It was a difficult decision, I discussed it with my wife, we prayed about it as a family, and in the end, we felt it was time to follow a different path."

A Call from the West

This new path led him to Golden State, where he signed a two-year mid-level exception contract for contributors, with a player option in the second season and a 15% trade bonus.

Although the agreement was only made official on October 1st, as the Warriors wanted to first resolve Jonathan Kuminga's restricted free agency, Horford had known for weeks that he would be wearing gold and blue. And, as often happens in the Bay, two names were crucial: Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. "Yes, I spoke with them," the veteran acknowledged. "It was important. Everything happened very quickly. They told me, 'We'd love to have you,' and when I saw the fit and the potential, it just felt right. Their call made the difference."

Despite nearing four decades, Horford doesn't rule out playing more than one season in the NBA. His new contract allows it, and his disciplined and well-cared-for body seems to respond. But his desire goes beyond adding more years: he wants to end his career in Golden State. "At this point in my career, that's what I hope for: to stay here," he stated.

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