The Golden State Warriors have been fighting tooth and nail to remain competitive amid Stephen Curry’s extended absence from a nagging knee injury, but they’ve stumbled, dropping four of their last 10 games.

In the vacuum left by Curry’s month-long sidelined stint, several unsung heroes have risen to the occasion, including young guns Gui Santos and Moses Moody, alongside the seasoned 19-year veteran center Al Horford.

Facing a pivotal decision on his $6 million player option this offseason, the 39-year-old Horford has significantly boosted his market value with a stellar February performance: averaging 11.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting an impressive 40.0% from beyond the arc across 10 contests.

This surge in production has been a lifeline for Curry and the Warriors right now, but according to FanSided’s G.C. Bellchamber, it could spell trouble if Horford opts out and enters free agency.

“If Horford decides to test the market one last time, even as he enters his age-40 season, Golden State could quickly lose one of its most important contributors,” Bellchamber penned on Tuesday.

“Horford made it crystal clear upon signing that he envisioned the Warriors as his final NBA destination. It’s unlikely that a bigger paycheck alone would lure him away. But he’s also been vocal about his burning desire to capture another championship ring.”

“At any rate, Horford has unequivocally proven his value. Golden State must pull out all the stops to persuade him to exercise his option for next season.”

After a sluggish beginning to his 19th NBA season—and his inaugural campaign in the Bay Area—Horford’s athletic prowess and sharpshooting touch have roared back to life.

He’s injected fresh energy into the Warriors’ lineup as Curry chases his elusive fifth title, yet the team languishes as the Western Conference’s No. 8 seed with a middling 31-30 record.

It’s increasingly evident that the Warriors’ front office has its work cut out to transform this squad into a legitimate contender, even with a healthy Curry at the helm. Horford, with his championship pedigree, won’t stick around indefinitely, which might push him toward a more championship-ready team for what could be his swan-song 20th season.