Stephen Curry Discusses Potential Roster Changes
Stephen Curry, a cornerstone of the Golden State Warriors, attended the American Century Championship golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Nevada on Thursday and found himself discussing potential roster changes for his team. Among the topics was the possibility of signing veteran forward Al Horford, a player well-known for his success in the league.
Curry’s Praise for Horford
Curry, a two-time MVP and future Hall of Famer, spoke highly of the 39-year-old Horford, who has had a distinguished career, having been selected as an All-Star five times. His remarks seemed to carry implications about the Warriors’ strategy moving forward.
“He’s a champion, a great player,”
Curry said, as reported by The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. Intriguingly, he pivoted from saying “when” to “if” regarding roster decisions, prompting speculation on social media regarding Horford’s future.
Horford’s Recent Career and Celtics’ Changes
Horford’s past four seasons were spent with the Boston Celtics, culminating in a championship win in 2024. However, with the Celtics currently undergoing a significant roster overhaul, they recently parted ways with key players like guard Jrue Holiday and center Kristaps Porziņģis. This decision was motivated by the need to alleviate financial penalties associated with being in the second apron of the league’s salary cap system, as outlined by Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens.
Although Stevens expressed a desire to retain Horford, the likelihood of that happening appears slim given the organization’s shift in financial strategies this offseason. Stevens also noted that they had made offers to both Horford and another center, Luke Kornet, who has already signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
“We would have loved to have had both of them back. I’d say that’s unlikely,”
said Stevens. He acknowledged Horford’s invaluable contributions to the team, particularly in mentoring younger players, and emphasized his status as a significant figure in Celtics history.
Warriors’ Frontcourt Needs
For the Warriors, the potential addition of Horford could address needs in their frontcourt, especially following the departure of center Kevon Looney, who has joined the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency. Despite his age, Horford continues to demonstrate his capabilities, having participated in 60 games last season with averages of 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, alongside shooting 42.3% from the floor and hitting 36.3% from beyond the arc.
