Signing Al-Horford was a must for the Golden State Warriors before opening night.

Entering a new season with a thin frontcourt is far from ideal, which the Dubs understood after losing their fan-favorite center to another Western Conference franchise (Kevon Looney, New Orleans Pelicans).

However, Horford isn’t the only new frontcourt addition to Golden State, as the organization also signed a 27-year-old Summer League Defensive star who competed with the Cleveland Cavaliers to kick off his NBA career.

“The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent center Marques Bolden, along with guards LJ Cryer and Taevion Kinsey. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.”

“Bolden, 27, owns career NBA averaged of 2.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 8.5 minutes over 18 games (two starts) with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets.”

“Unselected out of Duke University in the 2019 NBA Draft, he also holds career NBA G-League averages of 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 23.4 minutes over five seasons with the Canton Charge, Salt Lake City Stars, Wisconsin Herd, and Greensboro Swarm.”

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As a former five-star high school recruit and McDonald’s All-American with high expectations, Bolden hasn’t had the kind of professional career he likely envisioned when he was a teenager.

Injuries have contributed to Bolden’s challenging life in the pros, but at the end of the day, it all boils down to the 6-foot-10 center failing to play well enough to earn a multi-year deal with a franchise.

Still, it’s worth noting that Bolden was a standout contributor with the Warriors on the defensive end this summer, blocking 1.3 blocks per game in the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas.

Bolden should treat the Warriors’ ongoing training camp as an opportunity to make a convincing case to be included in the franchise’s 2025-26 plans.