After a roaring start, the NBA offseason has slowed down significantly. Most players have either signed or been traded to their new destinations, while a few free agents still await their next contract. One of whom is Boston Celtics free agent center Al Horford.
Horford, though unsigned, has been heavily linked to the Golden State Warriors all offseason. At times, it’s been spoken about as if it’s a foregone conclusion that he’ll be heading to The Bay. Even Brad Stevens has publicly said that Horford’s time in Boston has come to a close.
“We made offers to both Luke [Kornet] and Al,” Stevens told the media earlier this month, via CLNS. “We would’ve loved to have had both of them back. I would say that’s unlikely. The only reason I haven’t talked about Al is because it’s not final. I could probably talk about Al for my whole press conference and not say enough. But, I don’t want to speak in absolute terms until an ultimate decision is made.”
If Horford’s move to Golden State is as much of a done deal as everyone seems to think, then why hasn’t it happened yet?
Al Horford is probably waiting for the Warriors to solve their Jonathan Kuminga problem
Well, the Warriors have some housekeeping of their own to do first. Specifically, they’ve got to figure out what they’re going to do with restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. The former No. 7 overall pick is reportedly in no hurry to agree to a new contract with the Warriors unless the offer is appealing to him, according to ESPN.
Golden State is the only franchise that is yet to sign or trade for any new players this summer, largely because they’ve got to solve the Kuminga conundrum first.
The strange part of the saga is that neither side has much leverage. Kuminga is in no hurry to sign, but the Warriors have no motivation to make a substantial offer, especially for a player who’s never consistently been a part of their rotation.
Golden State could sign-and-trade the 22-year-old forward, but a move like that would make things more difficult for them moving forward.
“Kuminga's options are limited by the lack of overall spending and the reality that the Golden State Warriors could be hard-capped at the first-apron if he is sign-and-traded,” wrote ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks. “The Warriors are currently $25 million below the first apron and have taken a back seat to free agency until the Kuminga situation is resolved. They currently have six open roster spots.”
Celtics fans shouldn’t expect to hear substantial updates on Horford until Kuminga’s next contract is agreed upon. From what we’re all hearing, it may be a while.