The Golden State Warriors’ quest to find a true center to take the load off Draymond Green began the moment their 2025 playoff run crashed to a halt.
After falling to the towering Minnesota Timberwolves in just five games, head coach Steve Kerr made his position clear:
“I don’t want to start next season with Draymond as our starting center,” Kerr told reporters. “It’s doable for 30 games like we did this year, but you see the toll it takes on him.”
Without Stephen Curry for most of the series, the Warriors were overpowered by Minnesota’s size, length, and physicality. The need for a skilled big man has never been more urgent — and Al Horford was supposed to be the answer.
“One key player to keep an eye on … right now is forward Jonathan Kuminga.”@ShamsCharania on how the Warriors plan to reshape their roster in the offseason for a return to success. pic.twitter.com/atSNNVIHx6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 15, 2025
Golden State’s plans, however, have been paralyzed by an ongoing contract standoff with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. The deadlock has already cost the Warriors valuable time in free agency, leaving potential signings like Horford and DeAnthony Melton dangling in limbo.
Meanwhile, their Western Conference rivals are stockpiling talent in a bid to dethrone the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder — while the Warriors, frustratingly, stand still.
Even at 38, Al Horford remains one of the NBA’s premier stretch bigs, proving during Boston’s 2024 championship run that he can still battle with the league’s best.
The Warriors’ offseason moves are all waiting on a resolution to the Jonathan Kuminga saga, per @MarcJSpears.
Al Horford joining Golden State, plus potentially re-signing Gary Payton II, are two transactions being held up by their stalemate with Kuminga.pic.twitter.com/LW4L5a8wYI
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 31, 2025
Last season, Horford averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds over 60 games, hitting 36.3% from deep in the regular season and an eye-popping 40.0% in the playoffs. His floor-spacing and veteran leadership could be game-changing for a Warriors team desperate for both size and shooting in their frontcourt.
Along with Horford and Melton, both Gary Payton II and Seth Curry are two other players widely speculated to be in the mix for minimum contracts with the Warriors
Per @BrettSiegelNBA pic.twitter.com/KzourPzAAr
— Chef curry (Parody) (@baby_face_goat) August 5, 2025
But now, a shocking twist has emerged — retirement is firmly on the table.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, many league insiders still believe Horford is “almost a shoo-in” to join Golden State… if the Kuminga stalemate ever ends.
“Horford is comfortable waiting,” Slater reported. “Retirement remains on the table, sources said, though the Warriors appear to be operating as if he is a firm part of their plan next season.”
The problem? Every day the Warriors fail to resolve the Kuminga saga keeps Horford stuck in a holding pattern. And while he’s willing to wait — for now — the risk is real that his patience could run out, sending him into retirement and leaving Golden State scrambling.
For the Warriors, the idea of losing their top target to the lure of retirement after weeks of inactivity would be a gut punch — one that could define their offseason. If the front office doesn’t act soon, “what could have been” might turn into “what never was.”