💣 BREAKING: Warriors STUN NBA — Al Horford WAIVED in Sudden Roster Shake-Up 😱.P1

💣 BREAKING: Warriors STUN NBA — Al Horford WAIVED in Sudden Roster Shake-Up 😱

In a move that sent shockwaves through the basketball world, the Golden State Warriors have officially waived five-time All-Star Al Horford, multiple league sources confirmed late Friday. The decision, which comes less than three weeks before the start of the 2025–26 NBA season, has left fans, analysts, and even some players inside the locker room completely stunned. Once hailed as the missing veteran piece in the Warriors’ quest for another championship, Horford’s abrupt exit marks one of the most surprising preseason moves in recent memory.

According to sources close to the team, the decision was “not purely performance-based” — a statement that immediately fueled speculation about deeper internal issues. Horford, 38, had signed with Golden State earlier this summer in what many called a “perfect culture fit,” bringing leadership and defensive intelligence to a roster full of rising stars and aging champions. But insiders now suggest growing frustration behind the scenes between the coaching staff and the veteran forward over his role and minutes distribution. “He expected to be a core contributor, not just a mentor,” one team insider revealed.

Horford’s preseason numbers weren’t alarming — modest but effective — yet his on-court impact reportedly didn’t align with the team’s evolving small-ball system. “Golden State wanted more speed, more flexibility,” said an anonymous Western Conference scout. “Horford still plays old-school, slow-it-down basketball — it just didn’t fit.” Still, that explanation alone doesn’t justify cutting a respected veteran just before the season, leading many to believe the move was also financially motivated.

Cap experts point out that waiving Horford frees up critical luxury tax space for the Warriors, who remain one of the league’s most expensive franchises. With Klay Thompson’s future uncertain and Draymond Green’s contract still looming large, the front office may be tightening its spending before making a larger midseason move. “They’re clearly repositioning,” said ESPN analyst Bobby Marks. “This might be the first domino before something bigger drops.”

Fans, however, are furious. Social media exploded within minutes of the announcement, with hashtags like #JusticeForHorford and #WarriorsChaos trending worldwide. “They brought him in to be a leader — and then cut him before he even had the chance,” one fan wrote on X. Others argued that the decision reflects Golden State’s ongoing identity crisis: a team torn between clinging to its dynasty past and building for the future.

For Horford, this could mark the end of an extraordinary career spanning nearly two decades. Yet, sources say the veteran remains calm and professional in the wake of the news. “I’ve always believed everything happens for a reason,” Horford reportedly told a close friend after the call. “If this is the end, I’m proud of what I gave to the game.”

As for Golden State, the timing of the move couldn’t be more precarious. Training camp is underway, chemistry is fragile, and the front office now faces the challenge of explaining why a player once viewed as a stabilizing force was suddenly shown the door. One executive summed it up bluntly: “It’s not just about losing a player — it’s about what this says to the rest of the team.”

Now, the NBA waits to see what’s next — for both Horford and the Warriors dynasty that suddenly feels anything but stable…