The biggest unrestricted free agent still available this NBA offseason is Celtics big man Al Horford. Boston unofficially said goodbye to Horford back in July after the veteran turned down their offer to return. Since then, strong rumors have swirled that the big man will eventually sign with the Golden State Warriors. A number of open roster spots still remain in Golden State as the team works to resolve the future of restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga before moving on to officially do business with their other free agent targets like Horford.

It was unclear until this week exactly what Horford’s price tag would be in his new home after hitting the free agency market at age 39. However, Anthony Slater and Shams Charania of ESPN.com report that Golden State plans on offering Horford the taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.7 million) in a deal for next season.

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The Warriors allowed center Kevon Looney to walk in free agency (he signed with the Pelicans), opening the door for Horford to potentially take on a starting role in Golden State. The Warriors also have a couple of younger centers on their roster in Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinton Post but Horford would easily be the most accomplished big man within that group that has loaded up with veterans to win now around Stephen Curry after acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Heat last season.

De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II are two other veteran free agents that are expected to sign with the Warriors once the team finalizes a plan for Kuminga. Warriors brass and Kuminga have been in a stalemate this summer about his new deal after the Warriors turned down multiple sign-and-trade opportunities for the power forward. Golden State has reportedly offered multiple two-year deals with a team option, but Kuminga’s camp is pushing for a player option or more guaranteed money as the possibility of a trade still looms for the athletic scorer.

With training camp set to begin in under two weeks, a resolution will need to come soon for both sides in order for Horford and other free agent targets for the Warriors to sign deals in the Bay Area.

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