In a seismic shake-up that has sent shockwaves through the NBA, the Golden State Warriors are among seven franchises entangled in a blockbuster trade headlined by none other than Kevin Durant. The deal, set to be finalized on Sunday when the NBA’s transaction moratorium lifts, will see the Warriors acquire promising talents Jahmai Mashack and Alex Toohey. However, just as Dub Nation began to process this historic move, a bombshell report dropped, casting doubt on Golden State’s pursuit of their top free agency target, Al Horford.
According to Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Warriors have been navigating a whirlwind week. While they’ve yet to make additional transactions, they’re grappling with critical decisions surrounding restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and their pursuit of veteran center Al Horford. Kuminga, a dynamic forward, is free to negotiate an offer sheet that Golden State could match or explore a contract extension or even a sign-and-trade. Meanwhile, the Warriors have set their sights on Horford, the five-time All-Star big man fresh off a stint with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.
However, Gordon’s report reveals troubling news: Horford, who is reportedly mulling retirement, is not expected to decide his future this weekend. This delay raises concerns as the Warriors are not alone in their pursuit of the 39-year-old center. Jake Fisher of The Stein Line noted that while early signs pointed to Horford joining the Warriors, the Denver Nuggets have emerged as a dark-horse contender. Denver, who recently traded Dario Saric for Jonas Valanciunas—initially expected to serve as their backup center—now faces uncertainty. Reports suggest Valanciunas may opt for a move to the EuroLeague, leaving the Nuggets with a gaping hole in their frontcourt.
This development could give Denver a significant edge in the race for Horford. With the ability to offer their full $14.1 million mid-level exception, the Nuggets present a compelling case for the veteran big man. Horford’s hesitation to commit this weekend fuels speculation that he’s waiting to see how Valanciunas’ situation unfolds before making his next move.
For the Warriors, this is a critical blow. Operating with a $170.5 million payroll for just nine players, they’re already flirting dangerously close to the NBA’s luxury tax line of $187.9 million and restrictive aprons of $195.9 million and $207.8 million. A team source told the Chronicle they’re “still working through things,” signaling the complexity of their roster-building efforts.
The Warriors’ hopes of pairing Horford’s veteran savvy and floor-spacing ability with their revamped roster now hang in the balance. With the Durant-led trade reshaping the NBA landscape and the clock ticking toward Sunday’s transaction window, Golden State faces a pivotal moment. Will they secure Horford to bolster their frontcourt, or will Denver’s sudden emergence steal him away? One thing is certain: the Warriors’ offseason just got a lot more complicated.