The NBA offseason just dropped a bombshell, and it’s shaking the league to its core. Al Horford, the battle-tested veteran and longtime foe of LeBron James, is reportedly on the verge of joining the Golden State Warriors, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer. The move, which could be finalized as early as Sunday—the first day teams can complete most signings and trades under the 2025–26 salary cap—promises to reshape the Warriors’ roster and send shockwaves through the Western Conference.

The whispers have grown into a roar: Horford is Golden State-bound. “All signs, for the record, continue to point to Al Horford landing with Golden State … eventually,” Stein and Fischer reported. The news was all but confirmed on The Bill Simmons Podcast, where Simmons declared, “Horford’s going to Golden State,” with The Ringer’s Rob Mahoney adding, “That’s basically treated as a foregone conclusion around the league right now.” Simmons didn’t mince words: “It’s happening.”

At 39, Horford is coming off a championship run with the Boston Celtics in 2024, though the team fell short against the New York Knicks in this year’s second round. Now, the veteran big man is poised to bring his championship pedigree to a Warriors squad hungry for another title.

Golden State’s frontcourt has been a glaring weakness since losing Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors haven’t had a reliable floor-spacing big since Marreese Speights departed in 2016. Enter Horford, a savvy veteran who checks every box: championship experience, high basketball IQ, and a knack for knocking down threes.

Last season, Horford played 60 games for Boston, averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor and anchor the defense makes him an ideal fit alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and newly acquired superstar Jimmy Butler. Horford’s playoff resume—highlighted by a 2022 Finals run with Boston (where they lost to these same Warriors)—adds a layer of grit and leadership to a team looking to reclaim its throne.

For a moment, Horford’s name swirled in rumors linking him to the Los Angeles Lakers, who were reportedly eyeing him to bolster their frontcourt alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić. But those dreams fizzled when the Lakers re-signed Jaxson Hayes and added Deandre Ayton, per Shams Charania. With Los Angeles out of the picture, Horford’s choice seems to boil down to Golden State or retirement—and all signs point to him suiting up in the Bay.

This move is a dagger to Lakers fans, as Horford has long been a thorn in LeBron’s side, battling him in countless playoff series during his stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Celtics (twice). Now, the “Old General” is set to join forces with Curry and company, turning a longtime rival into a key ally for Golden State.

The Warriors are no strangers to blockbuster moves. After acquiring Jimmy Butler in a jaw-dropping deal last season, Golden State’s core of Curry, Green, and Butler already boasts elite talent and playoff know-how. Adding Horford rounds out a veteran-heavy lineup built for high-stakes basketball. Despite falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 playoffs—hampered by Curry’s Game 1 hamstring injury—the Warriors showed their mettle by surviving a grueling seven-game series against the Houston Rockets in the first round.

Horford’s arrival could be the final piece of the puzzle. His career averages of 12.9 points and 7.9 rebounds across 18 seasons speak to his durability and consistency. More importantly, his high-character leadership and ability to perform in clutch moments make him a perfect fit for a Warriors team aiming to hoist another Larry O’Brien Trophy.

As the offseason heats up, Horford’s move to Golden State is a seismic shift that could alter the NBA’s balance of power. The Warriors, already a force with their revamped roster, are doubling down on experience and versatility. For a team that’s been to the mountaintop before, adding a player of Horford’s caliber signals one thing: the Warriors are all-in for 2026.

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