Al Horford Doesn’t Rule Out Retirement After Warriors Exit Interview

Al Horford has not ruled out retirement following his first season with the Golden State Warriors, the veteran center-forward said in an end-of-season interview this week.

The 39-year-old Dominican Republic native, who joined Golden State in the 2025 NBA offseason after two stints with the Boston Celtics, spoke candidly about his future during a recent media availability. When asked directly about retirement possibilities, Horford left the door open while emphasizing that any decision would be guided by his personal faith and life priorities.

“That’s a question that kind of stayed out there, open-ended,” Horford said, reflecting on ongoing speculation about his career trajectory. “What I meant by that was a lot of times, when people are making decisions, We find as well things you witness and the things that make sense for the human eye.”

Horford’s comments come after a season in which he averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while appearing in 69 contests for the Warriors. He shot 37.5% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range during the 2025-26 regular season, according to official NBA statistics.

The veteran’s role evolved throughout the campaign as Golden State navigated the play-in tournament, ultimately falling to the Phoenix Suns in their opening game. Horford contributed nine points, five rebounds, and two assists in 26 minutes during that April 17 loss.

Despite reduced statistical output compared to his All-Star seasons with the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics, Horford maintained his reputation as a professional presence in the locker room. His leadership was particularly valued during Golden State’s mid-season stretch when injuries affected the frontcourt rotation.

When discussing his decision-making process, Horford repeatedly referenced his faith as a guiding force. “The way that I operate and have carried my career is through my faith,” he explained. “When I went to Boston 10 years ago, Boston wasn’t what it was now. They were in the middle, they just lost to the (Atlanta) Hawks and I was on the Hawks and we beat them. There were other places I could have gone that would have put me in a better position but I chose to go to Boston and take that chance. I took it because of my faith. Because that was the place for me that I felt I needed to be.”

That same spiritual framework appears to be shaping his current contemplation about the next chapter. “When all of this happened, I knew it was time for me to move on,” Horford continued regarding his departure from Boston. “Nothing to do with Boston but again, following my faith, my belief.”

The 18-year NBA veteran has accumulated significant accomplishments throughout his career, including an NBA championship with the Warriors in 2024, five All-Star selections, and All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2018. He was also a key contributor to the Florida Gators’ back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007 before being selected third overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks.

Horford’s career path has taken him from Atlanta (2007-2016) to Boston (2016-2019), Philadelphia (2019-2020), Oklahoma City (2020-2021), a second stint with Boston (2021-2025), and finally to Golden State where he currently resides. Throughout these transitions, he has consistently emphasized the importance of aligning professional decisions with personal values.

As the NBA offseason approaches, Horford’s future remains uncertain. The Warriors hold his Bird rights, giving them the ability to offer a contract exceeding the salary cap should both parties wish to continue their partnership. However, no negotiations have been publicly confirmed as of late April 2026.

For now, Horford appears to be taking time to reflect rather than rushing into a decision. His approach mirrors the deliberate process he described when initially leaving the Atlanta Hawks for Boston in 2016, where he similarly cited faith as the determining factor despite other potentially more advantageous opportunities.

The global basketball community will be watching closely as Horford weighs his options. Whether he chooses to pursue an NBA championship repeat with Golden State, explore other veteran minimum opportunities around the league, or transition into retirement after nearly two decades of professional play, his decision will undoubtedly be influenced by the same principles that have guided his career thus far.

As of this writing, Horford has not announced any definitive plans regarding his playing future. His next public appearance is expected to come during the NBA Draft Combine activities in mid-May, though his participation has not been confirmed by either the league or the Warriors organization.

What remains clear is that whatever Horford decides, it will be made thoughtfully and in accordance with the values that have defined his approach to both basketball and life throughout his professional journey.

Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of Al Horford’s situation and all developing NBA offstorylines as the 2026 free agency period approaches.