Celtics veteran Horford considers possible retirement in a chase between Lakers and Warriors

According to Chaitanya Dadwar, contributor of US sports media F/W. Horford, who has 18 years of experience and NBA champion, may end his career this summer as sources say the 39-year-old is considering retirement from the league. The 6-foot-9 forward also served as a backup center, averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his final season with the Celtics, while shooting 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from the 3-point line.

"I heard he was thinking about options, including the Warriors, the Lakers, and retirement," said Charania, an NBA insider at ESPN. "He's 39 years old. He just finished Season 18. I heard that it would be a surprise if he made the final decision by this weekend. He certainly won the right to make a decision in his own time. But I'm going to say that if Horford decides to play again, the Warriors are hopeful about where they are in all of this."

According to sources, the Warriors and the Lakers are one of several teams interested in bringing the veteran to the free agent roster. But not everyone can live as long as Paul and James. At his age, Horford might be time to hang a free battle card. What Horford has brought to a team like the Warriors or the Lakers hasn't been in a stage where he can be a big starter in his career, just because young geniuses may outperform him. But he certainly still has the size and skills to be competent in the paint area when attacking inside, or to open up space and create threats on the outside. Over his career, he averaged 12.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 50.9% from the field and 37.7% from three-pointers. The Lakers need to upgrade their size in the paint because their lack of size became a weakness in the 2025 playoff game against the Timberwolves, and Gobert beat them down near the rim. But after Looney left the Warriors and the Lakers bought Ayton, he seems to be more likely to join the Warriors because they may give him more playing time and more money as they are more eager to add some size to their roster.

Horford brought more than just his skills and physical fitness to the team. Horford’s former teammate Holiday was traded to the Trail Blazers earlier this summer, perfectly describing his contribution, “I think sometimes you’re just the people who can get you out,” Holiday said. "They are great people, they want the best, not only for you, but for everyone around them. They are selfless. They think about others first, then they think about themselves. They do everything for others and then they don't expect to get praise. I feel like people like this, you want them all to be great."

" Then you'll also see his career, what he did, how he became the best player on the team, and then how he handles such a situation with so many talents. He's definitely a Hall of Famer, and I'm pretty sure it's really going to be a big shot, but he doesn't. He's very respectful and very humble."

Horford is the perfect veteran and teammate who can contribute to a growing team like the Lakers or the Warriors. With the Warriors, he might even have a chance to compete for the championship again, but the Lakers seem to be rebuilding around Doncic, a team that may take several more seasons to compete for the championship. Horford has to make a difficult decision this summer.