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Recent NBA Champ, $20 Million Center Takes Lead in Warriors' Hunt for Big Man

Recent NBA Champ, $20 Million Center Takes Lead in Warriors' Hunt for Big Man originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Golden State Warriors are honing in on potential free agents to fill their need at the No. 5 spot in the lineup, and one of the NBA's seemingly ageless wonders has emerged as a top target. Advertisement Boston Celtics big man Al Horford just finished out a two-year contract worth $19.5 million with the legendary franchise. He also happened to win the long-elusive championship ring he sought for nearly two decades in the league during the initial year of that deal. With his career resumé now complete and upwards of $300 million in total earnings in his pocket, the 39-year-old Horford could be on the move this summer. He officially hit unrestricted free agency on Monday, June 30, and there are a handful of contenders across the league looking to upgrade their rosters at the center position. Boston Celtics forward Al Butler II-Imagn Images Horford can spread the floor offensively, hitting 3-pointers at a 36.3% clip on more than five attempts per game last season with the Celtics. He is also a switchable defender who can protect the rim on defense, which makes him an ideal fit with this iteration of Golden State that is in need of both interior size and shooting in some of its more star-studded lineups. Advertisement The Warriors appear to feel the same way based on a report from Mark Stein Monday afternoon. "Russell Westbrook has emerged as a potential free agent target for the Knicks and Al Horford is a top target for Golden State, league sources tell @JakeLFischer and me," Stein posted to X. The Warriors are also likely to take a hard run at former Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton, who reached a contract buyout with his former franchise on Sunday and will clear waivers on Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Lakers and other teams in need of a center will also inquire about Ayton, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Advertisement Related: Warriors Linked to Pursuit of $133 Million Center Now Unexpectedly Available This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.