Boston Celtics fans who have been holding out hope for an Al Horford reunion this summer are likely going to have to move on.
The now Golden State Warriors big man all but confirmed that he’d be opting into his $5.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Shortly after the Warriors selected Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg 11th overall in Tuesday’s NBA Draft, Horford took to Twitter/X to welcome the rookie to San Francisco.
Bienvenido Yaxel!!!!
— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) June 24, 2026
Sometimes it can be easy to read too far into these things, but this doesn’t feel like one of those scenarios. Horford’s looming decision was thought to hinge on the future of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, whose contract expired at the end of the season, per Clutchpoints’ Brett Siegel.
When Kerr reached a two-year deal to remain with the Dubs last month, hope of a Horford return to Boston began to dwindle.
It seems like his excitement for Lendeborg’s arrival confirms that.
The only cope here is the fact that both Horford and Lendeborg have Dominican heritage. Horford’s most recent post prior to yesterday’s welcome message, was a tweet congratulating New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, who is also Dominican, on winning the NBA title.
Maybe he was just congratulating him on making the league, who knows? (He probably was welcoming him to the Warriors).
Horford could still help the Celtics, or any team
Until he retires, Celtics fans will always daydream about the veteran center returning to Boston for an eighth season in green. His skillset, even as he ages, continues to be one of a kind. Horford’s defensive versatility, three-point shot, and strong playmaking feel make him a winning fit for any team, the Celtics especially.
It wasn’t hard to wonder what could’ve been had the 29-year-old stuck with the Cs last summer. Boston certainly could’ve used his defense in their first round collapse to the Joel Embiid-led Philadelphia 76ers.
Once Embiid found his footing in Game 5, the Celtics had absolutely no answer for him the rest of the way. Anytime the Sixers needed reliable offense, they could just feed him in the post and he’d either bully his way to the rim for an easy lay-in, or draw a foul and get to the line.
Horford’s numbers with Golden State were largely similar to the ones he posted in his final two seasons in Boston. He averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 42.1% from the field and 36.1% from deep.
The big change came in his availability. He only suited up in 45 regular season games for the Warriors, 15 fewer than in his final year with Boston.
That, more than anything, signals that Horford’s time in the NBA is coming to an end somewhat soon. It’ll be up to him, to be clear. Teams will have roster spots for Horford until he decides he’s ready to retire.
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