Former Philadelphia 76ers big man Al Horford may not have the most endearing reputation among the fanbase, but he surely is a highly respected veteran with ample gravitas to be a voice of reason in any and all locker rooms. That is precisely why despite his down season with the Warriors, it appears that Golden State remains predisposed toward keeping him in the fold for the 2026-27 campaign.
As reported by numerous outlets already, the Dubs are strongly interested in keeping Horford (as well as Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis) on the roster for next season. The veteran holds a player option he could exercise to return, and while retirement is certainly at the back of his mind at this juncture, the Warriors still have more than sufficient ammo to be key players in the West.
What makes it all the more surprising that the Warriors want Horford back is the fact that general manager Mike Dunleavy went on record just recently, stating that the team needs more infusion of youth on their roster. Horford, already 39 years old, is among the oldest players in the association, so wanting him back seems counterintuitive.
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Widely lauded as one of the better low-cost additions in free agency, Horford was expected to bring his basketball smarts and most importantly, outside shooting, to a veteran-laden Warriors squad in dire need of someone who can allow them to deploy more five-out lineups.
Horford initially struggled early in the season, but he was able to regain his mojo as the season went on. In his 19th year as a pro, he averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assist per outing, although his shooting splits (42.6 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from beyond the arc) were hardly impressive.
Be that as it may, Horford showed up when it mattered most. The Warriors may not have clinched a playoff spot, but the former 76ers big man was instrumental in their play-in tournament victory over the Clippers, although they then followed it up with a heartbreaking loss to the Suns.
Horford’s skill set is one that ages well, so the Warriors do not seem to be overly concerned about whether he still has enough juice left in the tank. And with nearly $6 million on the table for next season, it is now far more likely that he will return for his 20th season in the NBA.
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