The free agency market has seen some major players enter its ranks, and with teams playing an active role in cultivating roster strength, a lot of players have found new homes for themselves. Among this offseason's free agent class, Boston Celtics big man Al Horford has been one of the few names that has been garnering some interest from teams around the league.
Horford was a pivotal piece with the Celtics during his time with the team. After his latest four-year stint with the team, which also title success, the 39-year-old seems himself on the way out, as Boston plans a complete roster overhaul to facilitate a rebuild.
Horford is an experienced veteran with a solid style of play that allows him to seamlessly fit into any system. His availability as a defensive player also makes him a valuable addition to any team. With all this packaged into one player, it is no surprise that teams would pursue him.
With the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers leading the charge to land the big man, we explore six landing spots for the veteran in free agency.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have looked like a team in trouble this offseason. After being poised to make some big trades and signings in free agency, the Purple and Gold find themselves in a weaker position than last season.
Although a majority of their core players have remained with the side, the Lakers' center rotation is currently debilitated, featuring Maxi Kleber in the starting spot at this stage. With the need to make some key signings, acquiring Al Horford could be a worthwhile venture for the Purple and Gold.
Last season, Horford averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game on shooting splits of 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range. These are fairly reliable figures for someone playing under 30 minutes a game.
With the Lakers, Horford would be an ideal fit as a pick-and-pop option. Although the Lakers require a dynamic lob threat, Horford's current state won't allow him to do that. Instead, the 39-year-old would be a solid rebounder and floor-spacer while providing veteran experience to anchor the defense.
The major concern with adding Horford would be the limited minutes he would be capable of playing. To shore up his absence, the Lakers would need Kleber and their third-option center to remain available at any given stage.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are another time in dire need of a big man. Having pivoted from the "small ball" approach, the Warriors were committed to adding wing depth and big man depth to their team in the offseason. Thus far, they have achieved neither of these goals.
The Warriors have been viewed as the most likely landing spot for Horford for good reason. As a sharpshooting big man, he would be a great fit on the Warriors. His ability to move without the ball, set screens, and facilitate out of the post all indicate that he would blend well with the rest of the team.
Considering that the Warriors saw Kevon Looney join the New Orleans Pelicans, the team requires a solid inside presence to secure rebounds with Draymond Green. Horford emerges as a great rebounding partner for Green.
Additionally, his experience could also be crucial in aiding the development of players such as Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis. With young centers in the backup big rotation, the Warriors may enjoy some more flexibility with staggering Horford's minutes as well.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are far from being in the position they wanted to be in after coming off an NBA Finals appearance. With Tyrese Haliburton out for the season with an Achilles injury, the Pacers may not be as competitive next season.
To make matters worse, Indiana saw a key rotational player in Myles Turner join the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency. Given Turner's importance to the system as the defensive stopper and rim protector, the Pacers are heavily shorthanded in the big man department.
With this in mind, the Pacers could view Al Horford as a potential substitute for Turner. Horford's defensive impact may not be at the same level, but his floor-spacing ability and reliability in the post could still make for a solid addition to an otherwise hobbled team.
It is wildly unlikely that Indiana will be as competitive next season. But given this team's ability to deliver the most unexpected outcome, the Pacers would do well to add reinforcements.
Adding Horford may not solve their long-term issues, but it will certainly keep them potent enough to fight for a playoff spot in the East. Paired with Pascal Siakam in the frontcourt, the veteran duo could make for a formidable unit.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat saw a dismal end to their postseason run, a 4-0 sweep in the first round courtesy of the Cleveland Cavaliers. While this indicated some major changes in the offseason, the Heat are yet to make any transaction to aid their development into a contender again.
The Heat has some promising players to fill out their big man rotation. Bam Adebayo is a bona fide star-caliber player. His averages of 18.1 points and 9.6 rebounds, paired with his relentless defensive contributions, make him one of Miami's most valuable assets.
Similarly, Miami has a very talented young big man in Kel'el Ware. The team would consider it a beneficial venture to invest in his growth and development.
While the Heat may not necessarily need another big man in their rotation, their aspirations to be contenders may require them to add some talent in the position. With this in mind, Al Horford could be a vital veteran signing.
Horford's championship experience, smarts, and leadership could bring a lot of value to this young Heat roster in need of guidance. With the development of Ware also in mind, the 39-year-old would be the ideal mentor for the Heat's young center, helping him reach his potential.
Miami has a promising young core, and under Erik Spoelstra, they will remain a competitive team. If a championship is what Horford is seeking, the Heat may be a great choice for him.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have been an interesting team to follow this offseason. After offloading Kevin Durant in a trade with the Houston Rockets, the Suns have found themselves in a position to retool. Unfortunately, their top-heavy contracts have pushed them over the second luxury tax threshold, forcing them to make some tough decisions.
As things stand, the Suns are making every known effort to trade or buy out Bradley Beal's contract to give them some wiggle room with roster construction. Reports also suggest that they are looking at trading their big man, Nick Richards.
Although they acquired Mark Williams via trade with the Charlotte Hornets, the Suns have a fairly inexperienced big man rotation. In such a situation, signing Al Horford on a veteran's minimum deal may be in the team's best interest.
On a minimum contract, Horford would bring an enormous amount of value to a young team like the Suns. His experience and leadership would be crucial in helping the team find an edge in a highly competitive Western Conference. The development of the Suns' rookie, Khaman Maluach, would also be sped up under Horford's watchful eye.
On the downside, Horford simply occupies a roster spot that could be given to another player. While his contributions on the floor may not push the needle much, Phoenix would still gain some benefit from acquiring him.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have seen some major changes to their roster over the course of the last month. After trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, it was widely suspected that the team would be undergoing a rebuild. But their decision to hand Jaren Jackson Jr. a massive extension ended all those doubts.
Unfortunately, tragedy has struck the Grizzlies yet again as the star big man hurt his toe during an off-site event. After getting surgery, he is expected to be out for at least 4-5 months, a horror scenario for Memphis.
Jackson Jr. was the team's defensive anchor, and although they have Zach Edey to play center, the team is still lacking in the big man department. With this in mind, Memphis would do well to sign Al Horford on a veteran's minimum contract.
Horford's veteran leadership could be exactly what this young Grizzlies team needs in this trying time. In the early days of the season, Horford's presence in the rotation would be a solid substitute for Jackson's.
The 39-year-old provides floor-spacing and defensive upside, similar to Memphis' star big man. Upon Jackson's return, Horford becomes a key player off the bench, contributing in the second unit and shoring things up.
If Memphis' goal for the season is to be competitive, adding Horford on a team-friendly deal could help them to do just that. But should they opt to put their faith in Jay Huff instead, Horford could be better off choosing a different team.
Who Should Al Horford Choose?
Al Horford appears to be weighing his options concerning the teams he would want to join for next season. As things stand, the Lakers and the Warriors appear to present the best opportunities for him to be relevant.
Given that the Celtics remain dreadfully shorthanded, there could be some scope for the 39-year-old to return to them on a team-friendly contract as well. With a lot of offseason left to go, the 5x All-Star will bide his time and be patient with his decision.
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