The Golden State Warriors made a calculated move this past offseason, landing veteran big man Al Horford in free agency. It was a move that made sense on paper - a proven leader, a high-IQ defender, and a player with championship experience.
But as the first quarter of the season has unfolded, it’s becoming clear that Horford wasn’t the only former Celtic the Warriors had on their radar. And looking back, he might not have been the best fit for what this team needs right now.
Sources around the league say the Warriors also had interest in Luke Kornet, another ex-Boston big man who has quietly been making waves in San Antonio. According to reporting just before the season tipped off, Horford was Golden State’s top priority - their “absolute 1A,” as described by team sources.
Kornet, meanwhile, was out of reach financially, having inked a four-year, $40.7 million deal with the Spurs. Even if a sign-and-trade had been on the table, Golden State likely couldn’t have matched what San Antonio offered.
But here’s where things get interesting: through the first 20-plus games of the season, Kornet has arguably had more impact than Horford - and it’s not particularly close.
Horford’s numbers are well below his career norms. He’s averaging just 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, shooting a career-low 34.3% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc.
For a player brought in to stretch the floor and bring veteran stability to the frontcourt, those numbers are underwhelming. It hasn’t helped that Horford has already missed nine of the Warriors’ first 21 games due to a combination of back-to-backs and a recent injury.
Availability has been an issue, and so has rhythm.
Meanwhile, Kornet has stepped into a much larger role in San Antonio following the absence of Victor Wembanyama - and he’s made the most of it. The 30-year-old has started the Spurs’ last six games, helping them to five wins in that stretch.
During that run, he’s averaged 7.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they’re solid, efficient, and - most importantly - consistent.
He’s doing the little things: setting screens, protecting the rim, keeping the offense moving. And right now, that’s exactly what Golden State could use.
This isn’t to say the Warriors made a terrible decision. Horford’s playoff pedigree still matters, and if he can stay healthy and find his rhythm by April, he could be a valuable contributor when the games really start to count. That’s the long game Golden State is playing here - they’re betting on Horford’s experience and leadership to shine when it matters most.
But in the short term, the Warriors are in a fight just to stay in the playoff picture. And in that grind of an 82-game season, sometimes it’s the steady, durable role players - guys like Kornet - who make the bigger difference. He may not have the name recognition or the playoff resume, but right now, he’s producing at a level that Golden State simply isn’t getting from Horford.
It’s too early to call it a misstep, but it’s fair to wonder: if the Warriors had found a way to bring Kornet in - even if it meant getting creative financially - would their frontcourt look a little more stable right now?
Time will tell. But for now, Golden State’s bet on Horford is still waiting to pay off, while Kornet is quietly thriving in a role the Warriors might wish they had filled.