The Boston Celtics' frontcourt proved to be a problem in the playoffs. At times like those, the subtraction of Al Horford stood out like a sore thumb with Joel Embiid obliterating any big man Boston threw in his path. Another return could fix this exact problem, but following the announcement of Steve Kerr's newest extension with Golden State, Horford may be staying with the Warriors.
ESPN's Shams Charania revealed that Kerr signed a two-year extension with the Warriors after considerable uncertainty since their season ended.
BREAKING: Steve Kerr has agreed on a new two-year contract to return as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Dan Eveloff and Rick Smith of @PrioritySports tell me, @anthonyVslater and @ramonashelburne. After three weeks of extensive conversations, Kerr and the Warriors agreed… pic.twitter.com/nLwcpOLJZb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 10, 2026
What does this have to do with Horford? There was some speculation from ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel that if Kerr had decided to go the opposite route, the odds of Horford opting out of his deal would increase.
That would have been the first domino towards another reunion with the Celtics, but if Kerr is back, it likely means Horford is staying with the Warriors. The ex-Celtics star will be 40 next month, and while he definitely can't play at the same level he did when first returned to Boston, no one once uttered he was a waste of money for the Warriors.
Horford would fill a need for Boston, and from a sentimental standpoint, fans would love to see him end his career as a Celtic. However, there's no guarantee that at this stage of his career, he will see the money Golden State has for him next year if he opts in.
Boston could offer the non-taxpayers MLE if Horford opts out
Not all hope is lost, as Horford may seek greener pastures to which Boston could then be down for another reunion. $14.1 million would be more than twice what Golden State would pay him next season.
But that much for someone whose availability has decreased each passing year and would decrease even further the following season? It's safe to say that as great as Horford's legacy is in Boston, there are better options than him despite how impressive he still is at his age. The Celtics need guys who can play regularly whose age can't hold them back.
Horford can't promise that. That doesn't mean Boston shouldn't rule out Horford as a possibility period. If he were to come back on an inexpensive contract, of course they should pursue that.
But it's for that reason that unless Horford knows richer offers are out there, he probably will stay in Golden State. The reasoning above for why Boston wouldn't invest that much in Horford applies to pretty much every NBA team.
Time will tell as to what Horford plans to do next, but if what Siegel speculates is true, there won't be a Round 3 for him in Boston.
Add us as a preferred source on Google