The Golden State Warriors appear to be on the brink of signing Al Horford to remedy their center play. Golden State has been linked to Horford throughout free agency, and after Brad Stevens said it’s unlikely that the Celtics will re-sign Horford, all signs point to the 39-year-old big man signing with the Warriors unless he retires.
While Stephen Curry got injured, the Warriors’ lack of center play was a key issue against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their second-round matchup. Even if Curry was healthy, it’s unlikely that the Warriors would have been able to overcome their lack of size.
In some ways, adding Horford makes a lot of sense for the Warriors; his three-point shooting and high-IQ playmaking make him an ideal fit in their system. However, adding a 39-year-old to the already aging core of Curry (37), Jimmy Butler (35), and Draymond Green (35) has clear risks.
Horford is still playing at a high level, but the concerns of this addition are clear
By all means, Horford is still a highly impactful player regardless of his age. This past season with the Celtics, Horford averaged 9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 42.3/36.3/89.5 shooting splits. In addition to his clear fit with the Warriors' offensive system, he still has solid versatility on defense.
Regardless, a starting lineup with four players who are 35 or older is a recipe for disaster throughout an 82-game season. This comes with significant injury risk for the Warriors. In a loaded Western Conference, constantly resting players isn’t a great idea. Overall, counting on a 39-year-old to solve your main roster flaw is concerning.
Even after adding Horford and assuming health, the Warriors would be a tier below the elite teams in the West. The Wolves' loaded frontcourt rotation of Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid is far superior to the Warriors. Paired with Anthony Edwards' star power and an elite all-around defense, it's easy to see who is a better team. Similar things can be said about teams like the Thunder, Rockets, and Nuggets.
Another possibility is that Horford opts to retire or, shockingly, signs elsewhere. In this scenario, the Warriors would be left with a massive center hole. They would have to count on young players like Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis to make leaps while still utilizing plenty of small-ball lineups with Draymond at the five. In a conference where the best teams all have quality center rotation, this would be a death sentence.
Ultimately, while signing Horford is logical in many especially considering the other options, it comes with clear risk. As of now, it feels likely that Horford will end up in the Bay at some point. Regardless, the Wolves can rest assured that they are still a better team than the Warriors.