How Steve Kerr’s Bold Al Horford-Kuminga Duo Could Transform the Warriors’ Future Overnight

When a seasoned veteran like Al Horford steps onto the court for the Golden State Warriors, you know something fresh is about to brew—especially as the 2025-26 season looms large. The Warriors have snagged a true floor-spacing maestro with Horford, a player whose experience could be just the secret sauce to unlock Jonathan Kuminga’s untapped potential. I mean, Kuminga’s had flashes of brilliance, but consistency? That’s been the tricky puzzle Kerr and his squad have been trying to solve. Now, imagine the savvy Horford creating the perfect space and rhythm, allowing Kuminga to shine without the usual pressure—it’s a duo worth rooting for. Beyond just boosting the young star, Horford’s defensive smarts and versatility might just add a much-needed dimension to this Warriors squad that’s craving balance on both ends. Steve Kerr’s optimism about this pairing tells me this isn’t just hype—it’s a calculated move with serious upside. Dive into how this dynamic could reshape Golden State’s 2025-26 campaign and perhaps, finally, provide the stability this team has been chasing. LEARN MORE

The addition of center Al Horford figures to pay dividends for the Warriors in several ways during the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season.

As coach Steve Kerr sees it, one of those ways could be helping a 22-year-old budding star break out.

“Maybe Al and JK [Jonathan Kuminga],” Kerr answered Friday when reporters asked which Horford combination excites him most. “You know, I think that’s a two-man combo that could make some sense.”

Kerr and the Warriors have long searched for a way to get more consistent production from Kuminga, who has flashed immense potential but also experienced bouts of ineffectiveness throughout his career.

Per Kerr, Horford could be the key to finally stabilizing Kuminga and turning his lineups into winning combos.

“With JK, we want to give him space when he’s got the ball,” Kerr said. “Al can do that. So, if JK’s at the four, Al’s at the five and we put shooters around those guys, that could be an interesting combination.”

Horford enters his 19^th NBA season as the Warriors’ biggest offseason addition. A veteran center who can space the floor and play quality defense, the 39-year-old could give Golden State a dimension they’ve lacked in recent years under Kerr.

“The defensive wherewithal that Al has, just the accumulation of so much knowledge and experience in his career, is definitely going to help him and help us,” Kerr said. “Another big, athletic rim protector can only help.”

Plus, Kerr added, Kuminga won’t be the only direct beneficiary of Horford’s presence.

“Al, with anybody, is going to be good,” the Warriors’ head coach said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Draymond [Green], Jimmy [Butler]…he could even play with Trayce [Jackson-Davis] or QP [Quinten Post]. So, the beauty of Al is the versatility he gives us from a lineup standpoint.”

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