The Golden State Warriors have reportedly agreed to a “verbal commitment” with a five-time All-Star.
But the team is hung up on figuring out someone else’s money first first.
Restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, 22, remains unsigned. All rival NBA squads not named the Brooklyn Nets lack the requisite cap space to sign him outright, although the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans all apparently have made sign-and-trade overtures.
A Seasoned Future Hall of Famer to Join the Party
Free agent Boston Celtics power forward/center Al Horford and Golden State have apparently been circling each other for a while.
Sources tell NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson that, although they’re waiting for the dust to settle on a Kuminga deal, the Warriors already have their eye on multiple additional free agents.
Horford, 39, has agreed to a “verbal commitment” with Golden State, while longtime Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have greenlit the team’s re-signing of its own free agent guard, Gary Payton II.
Steph Curry wants Gary Payton II back in Golden State, sources tell me.
Curry’s been in direct contact with GP2, pushing for a reunion on a 2-year deal.
🔗 Here’s my latest ➡️ https://t.co/RJXMjbfbHU
Draymond Green’s also on board. Payton wants it too.
When Steph speaks, the… pic.twitter.com/xp30mcolkY
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) August 18, 2025
A five-time All-Star, one-time All-NBA honoree, one-time All-Defensive Teamer, and one-time champ, the 6-foot-9 big man remains a potent two-way player.
Horford may no longer be in his prime, but he has proven across the Celtics’ last two playoff stints (when he stepped in to a starting role over nominal starter Kristaps Porzingis) that he can still defend at a high level, pass effectively from the post as needed, and be counted on to connect from distance and spread the floor.
MORE NEWS: Per Curry’s request, Warriors likely to sign NBA champ who averaged 6.5 ppg last year
Across 60 healthy contests for the 61-21 Celtics last year, Horford averaged 9.0 points on .423/.363/.895 shooting splits, 6.2 boards, 21. dimes, 0.9 blocks and 0.6 steals in just 27.7 minutes per.
In 11 playoff games this spring (nine starts), Horford averaged 8.0 points while slashing .472/.400/.857, 6.0 boards, 1.8 assists, 1.3 rejections and 0.6 swipes a night.
Horford would be joining a very old Warriors core, although he would give Curry an opportunity to play alongside a high-level floor-spacing traditional five for the first time in his extended career — second-year big Quinten Post notwithstanding.
Golden State would trot out a first five that includes four 35-year-old-plus Hall of Famers with major playoff mileage: 39-year-old Horford, 37-year-old Curry, and 35-year-old forwards Jimmy Butler and Green. 32-year-old Payton is no spring chicken, either.
MORE NEWS: Warriors owner Joe Lacob wants Jonathan Kuminga to remain in Golden State
