Al Horford reportedly declining player option, intends to sign Warriors contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors once again will have veteran depth at the center position.
Al Horford will decline his $6 million player option for the 2026-27 NBA season and intends to sign a new two-year, $14 million deal with Golden State, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported Thursday morning, citing sources.
The Warriors originally signed Horford to a two-year, $11.6 million contract last offseason, with the fully guaranteed contract utilizing the team’s taxpayer mid-level exception.
“I want to see it through,” Horford told ESPN. “[Jimmy Butler’s ACL injury] kind of put a damper on things. Jimmy is a very special player, and he was doing so much for us. I feel like things were starting to turn.”
“Me being here a year, being acclimated with [coach Steve] Kerr, with Steph, with everybody else, I feel like we can continue to take steps forward and have a better season.”
In 45 games (13 starts) with Golden State last season, Horford averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game on 42.6-percent shooting from the field and 36.1 percent from 3-point range in 21.5 minutes per game.
The 40-year-old big man will provide the Warriors center depth, potentially behind veteran free agent Kristaps Porziņģis, who Golden State reportedly is working toward an agreement with this offseason after acquiring the big man from the Atlanta Hawks before the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Horford will play in his 20th NBA season with the Warriors, and potentially 21st if he plays out the second season of his new deal.
“It’s hard to believe,” Horford told ESPN when asked about becoming just the 13th player in league history to reach a 20th season. “It’s something that, for me, I’m very grateful. It’s just so hard to be in this league for that amount of years. There’s a lot of commitment, a lot of sacrifice and time. I still feel like I’m able to contribute and have an impact on a team.”
