NBA fans had multiple reactions upon hearing that Al Horford is expected to sign a multi-year contract with the Golden State Warriors. After winning an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024, many basketball community members presumed that Horford, who is currently 39, would retire.
Since the Celtics were not looking to bring him back, fans wondered about Horford’s future in the league. With only a few weeks to go before the season begins, the Warriors acquired Horford, generating several responses from the NBA world.
Why Did NBA Fans Mock the Golden State Warriors With Al Horford in the Lineup?
The Warriors were already considered one of the more aged and experienced teams in the league. They have Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler on their roster, and all three stars are rapidly approaching the end of their respective careers.
After NBA Insider Shams Charania reported that the Warriors would be adding an even older Horford to their lineup, fans were unable to hold back their thoughts and took to social media, many of them mocking Golden State’s new look, “Let’s run 5 40 year olds in our starting lineup and be the 9th seed.”
“Let’s run 5 40 year olds in our starting lineup and be the 9th seed”
— Jake (@playoffjake) September 28, 2025
Fans were also quick to notice that Horford is reportedly signing a multi year deal as opposed to a single season contract, “Isn’t he like 50? Multi-year deal is wild. This Warriors team gonna be older than the Gary Payton lakers.”
Isn’t he like 50? Multi-year deal is wild. This Warriors team gonna be older than the Gary Payton lakers
— Tictacmagic (@tictacmagic_) September 28, 2025
The jokes piled on with fans pondering over how an interaction between LeBron James and Horford could go down in a few years, “Bron & Horford meeting up opening night in 2030.”
Bron & Horford meeting up opening night in 2030 pic.twitter.com/DIGRSAViwD
— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) September 28, 2025
While most joked, the majority of Warriors fans were simply glad that the team finally made a move this offseason: “Warriors fans seeing that the front office finally made a move.”
Warriors fans seeing that the front office finally made a move 😭 pic.twitter.com/a1cpNYnSbm
— Kyrie Center (@kyriecenterig) September 28, 2025
Considering that teams with younger players possessing significantly more energy struggle to make it through the 82-game-long regular season, followed by a postseason potentially consisting of four series, Warriors fans displaying concern towards the team’s ability to make it to the playoffs healthy and emerge victorious is certainly understandable.
Some will remember that Curry sustained an injury and was sidelined as the Warriors were eliminated from the Western Conference semifinals. If healthy, they might have been able to win, which is exactly what the team is hoping to do heading into the 2025-2026 NBA season.
Only time will tell if the critics who are currently mocking this decision to acquire Horford will be proven wrong. If he is able to provide the team with interior defense and size, as well as experience and advice, that might just be enough for the team to contend for an NBA championship.
