Horford’s role was adjusted before the season tipoff
The Golden State Warriors made one of the most notable veteran signings of the offseason, adding 39-year-old center Al Horford to a two-year, $11.6 million deal. His experience, leadership and defensive versatility were expected to give the team a boost in the frontcourt.
However, according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area, Horford will not play in both games of a back-to-back this season. “Steve Kerr makes it very clear that Al Horford will never play both games back-to-back this season,” Johnson wrote on X. “The plan is to look at the schedule a week ahead in collaboration with Al and Rick Celebrini.”
At his age, the decision isn’t surprising, but it raises new questions about how Golden State will handle depth and fatigue over a long season.
Quality over quantity
Horford has remained remarkably durable for a player in his late 30s, playing at least 60 games in each of the past four seasons. Still, Golden State has 16 back-to-backs scheduled for 2025-26, meaning Horford will automatically miss at least eight games.
The Warriors are betting on efficiency. Similar to Joel Embiid’s load management approach, the team is prioritizing Horford’s health over maximizing appearances for key moments. He is still expected to start on opening night, but the rotation behind him will be tested. Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post are the next options at center, though neither offers the same rim protection or veteran presence that Horford provides.
Concerns about bench depth are increasing
The Warriors’ front office had little financial flexibility this summer, with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga taking up the majority of cap space. They added Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II, but also had to waive Seth Curry due to budget constraints.
Nick San Miguel from Blue Man hoop noted that Golden State’s bench could be a “downfall,” especially when stars rest or suffer injuries. “There will be games where the Warriors have to win without their stars,” he wrote, pointing to young players like Brandon Podziemski and Kuminga as key to surviving those stretches.
The challenge before us
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton predicted the Warriors would win 56 games this season, a total that depends on health and strong performances off their bench. Horford’s rest plan makes strategic sense, but it also leaves Kerr with a thinner rotation on short turnarounds.
The Warriors may have added experience this season, but managing that experience could determine how far they go.
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