Al Horford, a veteran player faced with the uncertainty of the NBA offseason, ultimately decided to leave the Celtics for the Warriors due to differing team priorities, particularly highlighted by Jayson Tatum’s serious injury that is likely to sideline him for the majority of the season.

As an unrestricted free agent, Horford’s decision was compounded by the urgency to win another championship. Despite longstanding ties with the Celtics, who he helped secure a title with in 2024, his ambitions changed as the team altered its direction by trading away key players like Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday.

Horford mentions, “There were two things there… the financial part, but more than that, it was the winning part. Feeling like they weren’t in that same vision, especially with JT getting hurt, really impacted my decision.”

The Celtics, coping with financial limitations, initiated significant changes which Horford felt would decrease the chances of immediate success. As the 39-year-old aims to compete for another title, he views Golden State as an ideal environment where his experience and defensive skills will be valued.

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