The Golden State Warriors are the only NBA team yet to make a move in free agency in 2025, but that could change soon. NBA insider Marc Stein stated during an appearance on Willard & Dibs on Tuesday that he expects the Warriors to sign Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton, and added they’re still interested in Bradley Beal.
“My expectation is that one way or the other, the Warriors are going to end up with both Horford and Melton on their roster,” Stein said. “[And] they still have interest in Bradley Beal.”
The Horford saga has dragged on for longer than anyone anticipated. The Warriors had expected the veteran to sign with them over a week ago, but he didn’t. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Atlanta Hawks were also showing interest in Horford, for whom retirement was still touted as a possibility.
It now once again looks like Horford will be a Warrior. The 39-year-old would be a solid addition. Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game for the Boston Celtics in 2024-25. The five-time All-Star isn’t the player he once was, but still has a positive impact whenever he steps onto the court.
Speaking of making a positive impact, that’s just what Melton did for the Warriors in 2024-25. The 27-year-old averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game last season but tore his ACL after featuring just six times and was later traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
The injury was a significant blow to the Warriors, and they were never quite able to replace Melton. It will be interesting to see if the 3-and-D guard is able to replicate his performances from last season post the injury.
While Horford and Melton are free agents, Beal has not hit the open market just yet. The Phoenix Suns and the three-time All-Star still haven’t agreed on a buyout but are expected to do so sooner rather than later.
Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the Suns in 2024-25. The 32-year-old can provide the Warriors with a spark off the bench, and they could certainly use that.
While Horford, Melton, and Beal would be good additions, two of the three are in their 30s. There has been talk about the Warriors being too old to win a title, and that narrative won’t be going away with these acquisitions. Stephen Curry was recently asked about that chatter and had a strong response.
“We’ve heard it for even before the ‘22 championship,” Curry said. “We heard it, so to the point like it’s all it all comes down to health. I mean, if you look at every team, [Oklahoma City] had a relatively healthy run. And that’s what you need. Like, vets get through a regular season. Try to be in a position where we’re not chasing anything down the stretch.”
Curry’s suffering a hamstring injury against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Conference Semifinals last season led to the Warriors’ elimination in five games. You wonder how differently their postseason would have panned out had the injury bug not struck.
Curry believes the Warriors have another title run in them and they should make some noise next season, provided they’re relatively healthy. Will they win it all? That seems unlikely.
