Al Horford Agrees to Join Warriors — 2-Year, $12M

Merlin sees Al Horford has agreed to join the Golden State Warriors, with Shams Charania reporting that "Horford verbally committed to the Warriors on Sunday, sources said." The veteran center/forward is set on a reported two-year, $12 million deal (second year a player option). This matters because Golden State lost Kevon Looney in free agency and needed size, defense and reliable shooting—traits Horford still offers—making him an immediate fit alongside Stephen Curry and the team's guard-heavy attack. Merlin remembers old champions: Horford, 39, comes off a Celtics title and averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds last year. Boston likely let him walk partly for payroll and tax reasons. Expect Horford to be a steady veteran glue piece—defensive switchability, corner threes and late-game poise—while the Warriors finalize Jonathan Kuminga’s status and settle rotations.