Al Horford Explains Why He Left Boston For Golden State

Al Horford, the five-time All-Star and 2024 NBA champion, found himself at a crossroads this offseason.

Should he stay in Boston and continue to try to win another title, or should he leave a team that he was an essential part of during two separate stints and find a home elsewhere?

While Boston had been home for him for the better part of the last decade, it was clear that change was on the way in Boston. With the injury to Jayson Tatum in the conference semi-finals, and the departure of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in trades that sent Jrue to Portland and Kristaps to Atlanta, the Celtics were clearly going in a different direction for the 2025-26 NBA season.

“I think the financial part was a component, but more than that, it was the winning part of it, trying to contend for a championship. And I think there was a lot of things up in the air – and it just felt like they weren’t in that same vision, obviously, because JT getting hurt, that takes a big toll,” Horford told The Atlantic.

The team and Horford clearly weren’t on the same page. With Horford being 39 and being on the latter half of his career, the goal is simple: try to contend for one more championship.

Golden State seemed like the clear best option for Horford at the time, being able to play alongside Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler while being coached by future Hall of Fame coach Steve Kerr. The opportunity to win a championship was greater than if he had decided to stay in Boston.

With Boston being in a tricky spot financially, having to pay Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown while also having to dish out Porzingis and Holiday so as not to hit the second apron, the decision to leave was mutual.

The need for a stretch big man in Golden State was also a highlight for the Warriors this offseason, and Horford fills that much-needed hole perfectly for the weak interior defense the Warriors had last season.