Steve Kerr kept things real when discussing Al Horford and the changes the Golden State Warriors will have to make heading into the 2025-2026 NBA season. Although the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler towards the end of last season, they could not make it past the second round of the playoffs, largely due to injuries, and were eliminated by Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Since the Warriors remained largely inactive throughout the long offseason, while every other team made upgrades to get better, fans wondered if this team would make any moves at all. With only a few weeks left to start the season, the Warriors signed veteran center Al Horford, adding the 2024 NBA champion to their experienced lineup.
Given that Golden State let Kevon Looney leave and join the New Orleans Pelicans, their decision to acquire Horford makes sense. However, Kerr’s recent interview makes it clear that the team should be prepared for major adjustments.
Steve Kerr Hints at Al Horford Skipping Several Warriors Games Next Season
Horford is 39 years old and one of the oldest active players in the league. Considering that other Warriors stars, such as Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler, are also rapidly approaching the final stages of their respective careers, the Warriors’ coach knew that the team would have to move at a relatively slow pace to prepare for the postseason.
Kerr discussed Horford’s role and the factors that the Warriors would have to consider when playing him next season.
“He’s looked great in camp. I mean, he’s still got it for sure. I think the big question is how many games does he play. I talked to him the other day. Last year, he said he didnt play back to backs and Joe (Mazzulla) would keep him out of certain games on a whim…”
The Warriors coach continued, “Maybe if they (Celtics) were in a hectic part of the schedule, if the other team had a bunch of guys out. So, we’ll do the same thing…We’ll have to preserve all our older guys as best we can, have them ready for the playoffs. So that’s the idea… No question he’s still got it, he’s an incredible player, great fit for us.”
While Kerr attempted to put a positive spin on the situation, fans should keep in mind that Horford played in 60 games in the 2024-25 season, recording 27.7 minutes per game. He started in only 42 games, half the season, and came off the bench for the rest of the time.
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The Warriors plan to utilize a similar structure to Horford’s in their lineup. In that case, the pressure will remain on players such as Green, Quinten Post, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, who are expected to play the center position for the team.
Since Horford also recorded just 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds last season, it is unclear what the Warriors will be able to get from him on the offensive end of the floor several months later. Questions regarding the lineups and rotations that Kerr will implement have already begun to form even before the Warriors’ season starts.