In a move shaking the foundation of the Eastern Conference, veteran center Al Horford has officially left the Boston Celtics and is set to don the iconic blue and gold of the Golden State Warriors, announced early October 2025. After seven seasons across two stints with the Celtics — which culminated in the franchise’s 2024 NBA championship — Horford admitted the decision was anything but easy: “Leaving Boston wasn’t an easy decision …” he confessed.
Sources say two key reasons drove his departure: a competitive window that suddenly narrowed in Boston after star Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury and the front office’s subsequent reshuffling. Horford revealed that he felt the Celtics were shifting priorities just when he believed they were poised to contend again.
Meanwhile, the Warriors plunged into action, securing Horford on a multiyear deal estimated around $6 million annually, bringing veteran savvy to a roster featuring Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. “They reached out to me and I just knew it felt right,” Horford said of the Warriors’ pitch.
For Boston, the loss hits beyond the stat sheet: Horford’s leadership, playoff experience and connection to the community made him an anchor. Yet the abrupt “full-circle” move to California underscores how quickly championship windows can shift in the NBA’s business of basketball. Fans, analysts and rivals alike will now be watching whether Horford’s gamble pays off — and whether the Celtics’ rebuild will cost them more than just a front-line big man.
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