Stephen Curry has reportedly found a new right-hand man to rely on after one of the team’s stars, Jimmy Butler, is currently unavailable. The NBA is in the preseason phase, so every team is already preparing for what will happen at the end of October, including the Warriors, who don’t want to be left behind and are already testing their new players alongside their key players.
Curry came out firing in the Warriors’ first preseason game on Sunday, scoring 14 points in 15 minutes before being suspended for the night midway through the second quarter as Golden State defeated the Lakers 111-103. Curry finished 5 of 7 from the field and 3 of 5 from three. He was clearly hunting his shot early and often knew his minutes were going to be limited.
Al Horford, Steph Curry’s new partner
Another notable play from that package was the “Chef” with Al Horford early in the first quarter, highlighting the significant impact the former Celtics center will have on this Warriors team as a passer and floor spacer. Horford signed a two-year contract with the Golden State Warriors worth $12 million, with a player option, marking the start of his 19th season in the league.
The 39-year-old veteran center had expressed his verbal commitment to Golden State last week, but the deal was delayed due to Jonathan Kuminga considering several offers as a restricted free agent. Ultimately, the 22-year-old forward agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million deal, opening the door for the arrival of Horford and free-agent guard Seth Curry.
Horford’s addition bolsters a roster that already features stars like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, and Draymond Green. His experience and ability to space the floor from the three-point line fit the team’s offensive style. The Dominican is one of the few players in NBA history with at least 900 three-pointers made and 1,300 blocks, a record he shares with Rasheed Wallace, Brook Lopez, and Clifford Robinson.
Why did Al Horford leave the Celtics for the Warriors?
The Celtics began their financial downsizing moves by trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. They also sent Georges Niang to the Utah Jazz, the team they acquired in the Porzingis trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Additionally, the club lost Al Horford and Luke Kornet, who joined the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, respectively, via free agency.
Now, he’ll look to help the Warriors and Stephen Curry return to the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2022 series, when Golden State defeated his former team. After Jayson Tatum‘s achilles tendon rupture in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, the Celtics are not expected to compete for a title. Now, Horford will have a chance to win a second championship as his retirement approaches.
According to MassLive’s Brian Robb, Horford is excited for the new opportunity alongside Curry, Butler, and Green. “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, Draymond, and Steve Kerr, and seeing Jimmy Butler here… It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Boston, but if there was one place, this was it, and it happened, and I had the opportunity, so I took it.”
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