After months of relative inactivity, the Warriors finally confirmed their first free agent signing this offseason, as they agreed to terms with NBA champion Al Horford. This move is a step in the right direction for the Warriors, who were dubbed one of the biggest losers this summer, as their NBA 2025 odds of competing for a playoff spot have slightly improved.
Meanwhile, fellow old heads LeBron James and Kevin Durant are still going strong. James confirmed he will not retire from the game anytime soon, while Durant expressed his excitement about playing for the Rockets and trying to help them win their third championship in franchise history.
All 30 teams were busy yesterday because it was Media Day. This means that the 2025-26 campaign is just around the corner. Without further ado, continue reading below as SBOTOP has you covered with the latest NBA 2025 updates.
Warriors secure first free agent signing
The Warriors are going all-in with their old core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, with the latest addition of Al Horford, who recently won his first Larry O’Brien trophy with the Celtics in 2024. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Horford intends to sign a multi-year contract with Golden State, which means that he isn’t planning to retire anytime soon, despite rumours.
Horford was supposed to retire a Celtic, but everything changed when Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles in Game 4 of last season’s Eastern Conference semi-finals. Gone was Boston’s shot at a repeat and their championship window. And because Horford is not getting any younger and the Celtics are facing the NBA’s second apron, Horford was left with no choice but to leave Beantown.
He should’ve joined the Warriors earlier this offseason because there was mutual interest between both sides. However, they couldn’t seal the deal right away due to the protracted Jonathan Kuminga saga, which remains unsolved to this day.
The 39-year-old center will outright replace Kevon Looney, who left for the Pelicans this summer. Horford is an upgrade over Looney for his ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting, as he’s a career 37.7-per cent three-point shooter.
James opens up about his future with the Lakers
LeBron James will be the only player in NBA history to play 23 seasons, breaking his tie with Vince Carter. And for the first time in his eight seasons with the Lakers, the King is entering a contract year.
The four-time league MVP exercised his $52.6 million player option for this season in June, as he plans to pursue his fifth Larry O’Brien trophy. James suffered a knee injury during the Lakers’ elimination game against the Timberwolves, but he said during Media Day that he is feeling better.
Many are speculating whether the 2025-26 campaign will be James’ final year. There were even murmurs that James doesn’t want to retire just yet because he is waiting to play alongside his second son, Bryce, in the league after doing so with Bronny last term.
For the first time in his storied career, James is no longer the team’s first option with Luka Doncic around. However, he reiterated that he’s okay with it, especially if it wins him his fifth NBA title.
“I’m super excited about the challenges and the excitement of our team. We added some new guys. We got another year under our belt with our coaching staff from last year. Got a full year with Luka (Doncic) and another year with the guys that I’ve been with. So super excited about that,” James said.
Durant is ecstatic to play for the Rockets
Like LeBron James, Kevin Durant is coming into a season on an expiring contract, but the 15-time NBA All-Star said he’s willing to sign a contract extension with the Rockets soon.
“I do see myself signing a contract extension,” Durant told reporters. “I can’t tell you exactly when that will happen, but I do see it happening.”
Durant is eligible to sign a two-year extension for more than $120 million if he were to sign the maximum. The Rockets recently handed extensions to Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, and Fred VanVleet and are in the midst of contract talks with Tari Eason, which could factor into how much they can offer Durant.
Many feel that Durant could be the missing piece for Houston, as he remains one of the league’s most lethal scorers. In 2024-25, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks on 53/43/84 shooting splits across 62 regular season appearances.
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