Al Horford Departs Celtics, Joins Warriors

Veteran forward cites "deeper" reasons for leaving Boston after 2024 NBA title run

Feb. 28, 2026 at 9:07am by Ben Kaplan

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Al Horford, the veteran forward who helped the Boston Celtics win the 2024 NBA championship, has opted to sign with the Golden State Warriors in free agency. Horford hinted at "deeper" reasons beyond just basketball for his departure from Boston, where he had two stints and earned the respect of teammates like Jayson Tatum. The Celtics maintain momentum under coach Joe Mazzulla, while the Warriors welcome Horford's veteran presence as they pursue another title.

Why it matters

Horford's exit from the Celtics represents a significant shift for both franchises. Boston must adjust its roster and leadership without the veteran big man, while the Warriors gain his experience and savvy. This move underscores the constant evolution of NBA rosters and the difficult decisions star players face in free agency.

The details

Despite the Celtics' desire to retain Horford, the 39-year-old forward opted to sign with the Warriors after the Celtics' 2024 championship run. Horford hinted at "deeper" reasons beyond just basketball for his departure, though he did not elaborate. He reflected warmly on his time in Boston, praising the team's resilience and winning culture under coach Joe Mazzulla. Horford currently holds a $6 million player option for the upcoming season with the Warriors.

  • Horford helped the Celtics win the 2024 NBA championship.
  • Horford signed with the Warriors as a free agent in the 2025 offseason.

The players

Al Horford

A veteran forward who played two stints with the Boston Celtics, helping them win the 2024 NBA title, before signing with the Golden State Warriors as a free agent.

Jayson Tatum

A star player for the Boston Celtics who has repeatedly expressed admiration for Horford as one of his favorite veteran teammates.

Joe Mazzulla

The head coach of the Boston Celtics, who has maintained the team's winning culture and momentum despite key roster changes.

Jaylen Brown

A key contributor for the Boston Celtics, who has helped the team remain a top contender in the Eastern Conference.

Golden State Warriors

The NBA franchise that signed Al Horford as a free agent, adding his veteran presence and experience to their roster as they pursue another championship.

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What they’re saying

“For me, the decision, it's something that's deeper than just the basketball stuff of it. And it's something that, at some point, I'll share with people. But for me it felt like it was the time for me to go elsewhere.”

— Al Horford

“If you think about last year, we had a lot of guys down throughout the year and we were playing a lot of the times missing players. But we were still winning a lot of games. So I feel like that was a blueprint right there. This year I just think that guys are comfortable playing in that situation.”

— Al Horford

“As far as the end of my career, I don't know. I mean, I always keep that open. It would definitely be a privilege to do that. But I'm just obviously just trying to focus on finishing out this year.”

— Al Horford

What’s next

The Celtics will continue to adjust their roster and leadership without Horford, while the Warriors will integrate the veteran forward into their championship-contending team.

The takeaway

Horford's departure from the Celtics after helping them win the 2024 NBA title underscores the constant evolution of NBA rosters and the difficult decisions star players face in free agency. Both the Celtics and Warriors must now navigate this shift, with Boston seeking to sustain its excellence and Golden State benefiting from Horford's veteran presence.