The Golden State Warriors ended their season with the Boston Celtics' center tandem that helped them capture Banner 18. Kristaps Porzingis was giddy about the chance to reunite with Al Horford after a deal leading up to February's trade deadline sent him from Atlanta to San Francisco. Both are on track to remain planted in the Bay Area.
Horford signaled his intention to stay during the first night of this week's NBA Draft. After Golden State selected Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 12 pick, the five-time All-Star from the Dominican Republic expressed his excitement about that choice.
Bienvenido Yaxel!!!!
— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) June 24, 2026
Two days later, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the 19-year veteran intends to decline his player option and ink a two-year, $14 million deal to remain with the Warriors. He will become the 13th player in NBA history to reach 20 seasons in the Association.
As for Porzingis, news of his new contract could come at any moment.
Warriors, former Celtics' center Porzingis closing in on new deal
NBA free agency gets underway at 6 PM ET on Jun. 30. The Stein Line reports that the seven-foot-two center is not expected to reach the open market. In fact, news of a verbal agreement to remain with Golden State appears imminent.
The former fourth overall draft pick finished the 2025-26 campaign on an expiring two-year, $60 million pact he signed upon coming to Boston. Porzingis left money on the table to help the Celtics build a title team. It also made it easier to keep that group intact for the following season.
In 15 appearances with the Warriors, the 10-year veteran averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks. He turns 31 in August.
And while Horford and Porzingis aren't expected to change teams, a reunion between Boston and one of its former centers could still come to fruition this summer. Robert Williams III might prove the most attainable option for the Celtics to fortify that position with an impactful complement to Neemias Queta.
Warriors in the hunt for LeBron James
Retaining a pair of former Celtics centers will not slow Golden State's pursuit of the future first-ballot Hall of Famer. The organization has a path to offering the 21-time All-NBA selection $15 million. That's the value of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Whether James would settle for a discount of that nature to join forces with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green is unclear.
And if he returns for a 24th season, which seems likely in this author's opinion, his preference might be to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James's willingness to sacrifice allowed the trio of him, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves to become more effective. And when those two got injured, the 41-year-old forward stepped up, leading the purple and gold past the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
Reaves, who returned for the final two tilts of that series, is now back in the fold, agreeing to a new contract with the Lakers.
Another reason to believe James will opt to stay in LA is that his son is on the team and his family loves living there. They don't have to find a new base, and it's easier to navigate this situation if he remains in California. However, it's another factor to consider when trying to figure out what he'll decide.
If the follow-up to retaining a pair of former Celtics in Horford and Porzingis is luring James to San Francisco, seeing James flanking Curry would make for an exciting next and likely final chapter of his career.
Add us as a preferred source on Google