The Golden State Warriors’ quiet free agency period has one former NBA champion questioning whether their rumored moves will be enough. While the Warriors haven’t signed any free agents since the window opened, their potential pursuit of Al Horford has sparked debate about whether adding the veteran center addresses their real problems.
Why Does Udonis Haslem Think Al Horford Won’t Save the Warriors?
The Warriors’ second-round playoff elimination by the Minnesota Timberwolves exposed glaring weaknesses that go beyond what Horford can fix. Former Miami Heat center Udonis Haslem believes the Warriors are missing the mark with their reported interest in the Boston Celtics’Â big man.
Speaking on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” Haslem delivered a blunt assessment of the potential signing. Haslem has pointed to a bigger issue, saying, “You are not addressing length and athleticism by just bringing in Al [Horford]. Love Al, but that is not the one that’s gonna push you over the hump.”
The criticism cuts to the heart of Golden State’s defensive struggles. Against Minnesota, the Warriors couldn’t contain Julius Randle, who torched them for 25.2 points on 53.3% shooting throughout the series. Horford brings corner three-point shooting ability, but he can’t solve their problems defending versatile forwards and centers.
Haslem’s concerns about relying on Horford defensively seem justified based on recent playoff performances. The veteran looked sluggish in both playoff series against the Magic and Knicks while playing for the Celtics. At this stage of his career, Horford functions best as a depth piece who can knock down threes in limited minutes rather than as a primary defensive anchor.
The fundamental issue remains unchanged. “You saw the lack of athleticism glaringly against Minnesota last year,” Haslem noted, highlighting how the Warriors’ size and speed disadvantages became obvious problems in their playoff exit.
What Makes This Situation More Complicated for Golden State?
Despite his tactical concerns, Haslem acknowledged the appeal of seeing Horford finish his career alongside Stephen Curry. “When you talk about bringing in Al, I love Al. I would love for him to finish his career with a guy like Steph (Curry),” Haslem said.
However, sentiment doesn’t win championships. While the Warriors have remained static, Western Conference rivals have actively improved their rosters. The Rockets, Lakers, Nuggets, and Clippers have all made significant moves to strengthen their teams for the upcoming season.
The challenge becomes even steeper when considering Oklahoma City’s trajectory. The young Thunder team is gaining valuable experience and developing championship-level expectations, making them increasingly difficult to compete against.
If Horford becomes the Warriors’ primary addition, they risk falling back into the play-in tournament rather than securing a guaranteed playoff spot. More concerning for Golden State fans, this approach could waste the remaining prime years of Curry’s Hall of Fame career.
The Warriors face a critical decision point. They can either make the bold moves necessary to contend for another championship or accept that their window may be closing. According to Haslem, simply adding Horford won’t be enough to avoid toiling away what’s left of their championship opportunity.
