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Al Horford reveals why Warriors were only NBA team he would leave Celtics for originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Headlines the past few years in Boston belonged to Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. On the court and behind the scenes, Al Horford became a Bean Town legend in his own ways as an integral piece of a historic franchise that won an NBA championship with him two seasons ago and competed for a title in each of the seven years he spent with them.

Horford and his wife, Amelia, needed a number of walks together over the offseason to contemplate their future. They had dug roots into Boston, becoming a major part of the community outside of establishing a basketball legacy. 

Horford was born in the Dominican Republic. He went to high school in Michigan and played collegiately for the University of Florida before being in Atlanta the first nine years of his NBA career. There had been stops in Philadelphia and Oklahoma City, but Boston looked like his final destination. 

Instead, the Warriors signed the five-time NBA All-Star center on Wednesday after months of a handshake deal that was waiting to become official. 

“It was very difficult,” Horford said Wednesday at his Chase Center introductory press conference. “Boston became a second home for me. Just being that community and a part of that city was something very special for me and my family, so it wasn’t an easy decision for me.” 

There were rumors and speculation that the only obstacle getting in the way of Horford becoming a Warrior was the 39-year-old contemplating retirement. Horford immediately squelched any of those thoughts, saying he never entertained that idea. 

But there only was one team that Horford ever considered leaving the Celtics for: The Warriors. 

“It’s a great opportunity to compete and win at a high level,” Horford said. “When I think about the Warriors I think about Steph [Curry] and Draymond [Green] and Steve Kerr. Seeing Jimmy Butler here, what he did in that second half of the season last year after the trade and how they were playing. 

“For me, if there was one place I was going to leave, it was for this.” 

Over the course of Horford’s 18-year NBA career, almost all of his time has been in the Eastern Conference. The only experience he waded into the waters of the West were the 28 games he played for the Thunder in the 2020-21 season. Horford admitted he didn’t have prior relationships with players on the Warriors, including Curry and Green. 

His battles against the Heat when Butler was starring in Miami have been well documented. Horford also has been a problem for the Warriors in the handful of games he has gone against them. 

Horford averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game against the Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals, shooting 60.5 percent from the field (26 of 43) and 62.5 percent on 3-pointers (15 of 24). He also has averaged 14.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in 25 regular-season games against the Warriors for his career, both being career highs for him against one team. 

The veteran big man continues to be a versatile defender at the final stages of his career, as well as a near-perfect fit in Steve Kerr’s offense stretching the floor and distributing the ball out of the block. 

“It’s huge to have a space-5,” Kerr said of Horford’s addition. “But it’s not just any space-5 – it’s Al Horford. He rebounds, defends, he’s smart, good passer. Just watching him today, you can see the fit.

“He can play with Draymond and space the floor as a 5. You can play him with Trayce [Jackson-Davis]. Trayce can be the dive man. You can play two bigs with him. He can also play the 5 himself. We can have a 5-out lineup. Al’s versatility, and just the fact that he fits in any lineup, just makes him hugely invaluable.” 

He’s also now the oldest Warriors player that also features a 37-year-old Curry, 36-year-old Butler and 35-year-old Green. No team in NBA history has ever used four players 35 and up in their opening night starting lineup. Horford understands the doubters based on the Warriors’ historic ages, and he still has the utmost confidence this was the right team to help him compete for another ring. 

“It’s fair,” Horford admitted. “It is true, but we have a very solid team. It’s not only the four of us. We have a lot of depth in this group, and a lot of the young guys I feel are going to play a big role in it. For us, it’s staying the course. Obviously health plays a big part in it. The focus is on the season and getting better. 

“I’m excited. I know those guys take care of themselves. They’re going to do everything they need to be on the floor, and we have a lot of experience.”

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Grimes accepts Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. The Sixers announced that they re-signed Grimes hours later.

Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Grimes will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role during the second half of the 2024-25 season. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will presumably hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

Signing Grimes puts the Sixers at 14 players on standard contracts, which is one under the maximum. They’ve used their three two-way contract slots on Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker and Hunter Sallis.

Report: Grimes accepting Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes has reportedly decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Grimes will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role during the second half of the 2024-25 season. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will presumably hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

Signing Grimes will put the Sixers at 14 players on standard contracts, which is one under the maximum. They’ve used their three two way-contract slots on Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker and Hunter Sallis.

Report: Grimes accepting Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes has reportedly decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

This story will be updated.

Warriors' long, exhaustive NBA offseason journey ends with series of good moves originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – After addressing the assembled media for about 17 minutes on Monday, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy rose from his seat, strolled toward the exit and allowed himself an audible expression of delight.

Dunleavy started clapping his hands. Not because he survived a contentious news conference because it was anything but. More likely because he felt no need to conceal his sense of feeling victory at the finish line.

In the prolonged matter of the Golden State Warriors v. Jonathan Kuminga, Dunleavy and the Warriors prevailed. The process was long and fraught with angst within Dub Nation, but they achieved a desirable outcome.

“We’ve got everything signed, sealed, delivered roster-wise and (we’re) pretty excited about this group, about this season,” Dunleavy said in his opening statement. “(We) feel like we made some really good additions and obviously have some really good key returning players as well as some young guys that we think will be able to take a step.

“The main thing here is the team we put together, we feel like will be in the mix this season.”

Health permitting, the GM is correct. Golden State’s 2025-26 roster is, on paper, capable of a top-six finish in the Western Conference, bypassing the play-in tournament.

Dunleavy and his front office comrades entered the offseason exploring potential sign-and-trade deals in which they would replace Kuminga with someone more compatible with core players Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III. When nothing acceptable materialized, they entered negotiations with Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner.

In the end, with Kuminga signing on Tuesday, the Warriors made small compromises but no painful concessions. They won the four issues most relevant to the franchise now and in the years to come.

-They didn’t budge from their desire to have a team option, despite Turner and Kuminga pushing for a player option.

-They avoided $8 million qualifying offer that was on the table. Neither side really wanted to take that route, but it would have been particularly harmful to future team-building options.

-They got the sizable salary slot ($22.5 million in 2025-26) that can be used to balance a future transaction. They are in position to, one way or another, expect a return on their four-year-plus investment in Kuminga.

-They retained the flexibility to trade Kuminga. They can explore possibilities for a deal within the three-week window between Jan. 15 and the Feb. 5 trade deadline. If nothing materializes, they can revisit options next summer.

The process that began with Kuminga entering restricted free agency and ended with him re-signing with the Warriors stretched out over 92 days. It was at times grueling, and always required exercises in patience and restraint. The contract is worth $48.5 million over two seasons, with only the first guaranteed.

Dunleavy worked alongside Golden State CEO Joe Lacob, executive vice president Kirk Lacob and chief strategist Jon Phelps, who joined the franchise last summer after 10 seasons in the front office of the Detroit Pistons. As the resident “capologist,” Phelps’ advice is crucial to anything Dunleavy or the Lacobs wish to do regarding contracts and the salary cap.

“I don’t know what I’d do without Jon,” Dunleavy said. ‘I’m fortunate to work with a great group. He’s one of the guys in that group. I’ve got a great team, support staff.

“Jon and his group, they know their stuff in and out and really was a valuable resource for me to be able to rely on, ask questions, understand. And, frankly, after this summer I feel like I’m an expert on the cap and restricted free agency and aprons and all that stuff.”

In a 14-hour window between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, the Warriors signed Kuminga, followed by Al Horford, De’Anthony Meltonand Seth Curry. All three veterans bring something the team needs.

Horford, who projects as the starting center, is highly skilled with a 3-point shot so respected it spreads the floor. Once Melton is fully recovered from surgery on his left ACL – he’ll be reevaluated in four weeks – his two-way attributes will allow him to compete to be Stephen Curry’s partner in the starting lineup. Seth Curry, who last season led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, will be a sharpshooter off the bench once he is elevated to standard contract next month

The journey to this Warriors roster was long and at times dusty. There were peaks and valleys and, of course, Turner’s brazen late-September media campaign.

The destination, though, was satisfying for the Warriors. Patience was rewarded. Their fans can breathe and hope, sigh and anticipate, cross their fingers and squint. Some may be moved to cheer. Or even clap.

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