Al Horford set for Warriors return at age 40, per report

Drafted third overall in 2007 out of Florida, Horford will become the 13th player in league history to play a 20th season.

admin June 25, 2026 2 minutes read

Al Horford waited until September to join the Warriors last season, but he won’t take long to recommit to them this summer.

The 40-year-old center is expected to sign a two-year contract worth $14 million after declining his player option for next season, according to a report Thursday from ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania.

Horford played in 45 games last season for the Warriors, averaging 8.3 points and 4.9 rebounds over 21.5 minutes, mostly in a reserve role. He shot 36.1 percent on 3-pointers.

His return to the team answers one of several questions at the center position for Golden State: Draymond Green has a player option for next season, and Kristaps Porzingis is an unrestricted free agent. Green’s option deadline is Monday, and free agency opens Tuesday. The selection of Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 11 in the NBA draft this week adds a potential small-ball option, too.

Sciatica pain limited Horford to just 13 of the Warriors’ first 30 games last season, and a calf injury kept him out nearly a month at the end of the year.

Drafted third overall in 2007 out of Florida, Horford will become the 13th player in league history to play a 20th season.

Horford’s initial signing with the Warriors in the 2025 offseason was delayed by the team’s extended negotiations with then-restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. The three-time All-Star played seven of the prior nine seasons with the Boston Celtics, including a 2022 NBA Finals defeat to the Warriors and a 2024 title run, beating the Dallas Mavericks.