Al Horford has drawn significant interest as a free agent this summer despite his age, and there is apparently one team that expected to have signed the veteran big man by now.
ESPN’s Marc Spears discussed Horford’s free agency during Monday’s edition of “NBA Today.” The reporter said there are at least four teams that have been pursuing Horford and that the Golden State Warriors expected to sign the five-time All-Star last week.
“Golden State obviously expected him to sign last week. He didn’t,” Spears said. “Lakers, Milwaukee, Atlanta I believe are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table. He’s still considering retiring.
“He’s not in any hurry. He’s got a sixth kid coming on the way. He lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. But I’m hearing that whether it’s Golden State or, to a lesser extent, if it’s the Lakers, being away from the family that far isn’t gonna be in the decision.”
Spears also said that Horford’s 10-year-old son Ian “loves basketball” and could convince his father to keep playing.
"Golden State expected him to sign last week, he didn't. Lakers, Milwaukee, Atlanta I believe are also interested."
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 14, 2025
– @MarcJSpears on Al Horford
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 )
pic.twitter.com/DyBaNW7puI
Horford, averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game for the Boston Celtics this past season. He can hit the occasional three-pointer and has made 37.7 percent of his career attempts from beyond the arc. Horford is also a strong rebounder and low-post defender.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens suggested last week that the team does not expect Horford to be back. With Jayson Tatum expected to miss most — if not all — of the 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn Achilles, Boston may not want to spend the money to re-sign Horford.
The Warriors seem like the favorite to sign Horford if he does not retire, though the 39-year-old may have his choice of multiple contenders.
