It's not overly surprising that Al Horford is back with the Golden State Warriors, but the front office's decision to give the 40-year-old a two-year contract after a 45-game season certainly was.
There's also a reason why Horford is still in the league at this stage of his career. Any athlete still competing at his age has to have the upmost professionalism, and the Warriors gambling on that trait seems like a smart bet to make when the veteran center is still capable of being an incredibly valuable rotation player for Steve Kerr.
Al Horford already making two-year contract look smart
Speaking on the latest episode of his podcast, Draymond Green claimed his fellow veteran teammate "is in incredible shape" after a year in which Horford battled sciatica early in the season, before suffering a calf strain against the Minnesota Timberwolves in March which saw him miss a few weeks.
Horford will have to continually be managed through the regular season, including being on a minutes restriction and not playing back-to-backs which is likely to be problematic at times for a Warrior team who are already without two key players in Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody.
However, there's never going to be any concern over Horford putting the work in to give himself the best opportunity of being on the floor as much as possible, having already been proven by Green's comments after Golden State undertook a minicamp hosted by Butler in the past week.
That professionalism also sets the standards and provides an example for the Warriors' younger players, with Horford's leadership undoubtedly playing a factor in the decision to give the 19-year veteran a two-year deal.
Al Horford hoping for better injury luck in second year with Warriors
Golden State desperately need more injury luck after last campaign was effectively ruined by the time the All-Star break rolled around. Horford is one of those players who will be hoping for greater fortune individually, with his first year at the franchise hardly going according to plan.
The fact the Warriors were still willing to offer a two-year contract (including a second-year player option) suggests that Rick Celebrini and the medical staff are confident that Horford's injury issues won't continue during his 20th NBA season.
Between Horford and Celtics championship teammate Kristaps Porzingis, Golden State are taking a major risk at the center position. Horford entering training camp in "incredible shape" is already a good start to justifying that gamble.
Add us as a preferred source on Google