There’s a new starting center in the Bay.
The Golden State Warriors made a late splash this offseason, agreeing to bring in free agent center Al Horford to a multi-year contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania announced Sunday.
A five-time All-Star, Horford spent seven of his last nine seasons with the Celtics and served as a key contributor to the franchise’s NBA championship campaign in 2023-24.
The 39-year-old vet enters his 19th season with hopes of bolstering an aging Warriors roster — one headlined by a 37-year-old Stephen Curry, 36-year-old Jimmy Butler, and 35-year-old Draymond Green — that’s eager to capitalize on its closing championship window.
The 6-foot-9center was high on Golden State’s shopping list heading into free agency after longtime center Kevon Looney departed for the Pelicans.
According to ESPN, Horford was one of a few free agents awaiting a resolution to contract negotiations between the Warriors and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga — a standstill that delayed a potential offseason spending spree.
Kuminga can either sign a multi-year deal worth around $50 million or agree to take the one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer.
Horford verbally committed to Golden State on Sunday, with the two parties still ironing out the financial details of the multi-year pact.
The big man weighed playing for Golden State versus retirement, ultimately signing on for a few more years on the hardwood.
Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 60 games (42 starts) last season.
He shot 36.3 percent from beyond the arc on 5.2 attempts per game and has drained 100-plus 3-pointers in each of his last three seasons — complementing the spaced-out offense that Golden State pioneered.