Free agent center Al Horford is only a day fresh off opting out of his $30.1 million player option with the Boston Celtics, yet the big man is expected to draw interest from the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers, according to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.
“The Mavericks are considered favorites to land Celtics free-agent big man Al Horford, according to league sources, and the two Los Angeles teams are said to also have interest, though they both have their sights set on bigger fish like Kawhi Leonard.”
The Mavs don't necessarily have the same cap freedom as some of the teams hunting for big-name free agents, but what they can offer is some long-term peace of mind, as Horford turned down a beefy $30.1 million to set up what's likely to be the last generous deal of his career.
At 33 years old, Horford makes the perfect complement to a young Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, giving the Mavs three potential outside shooters in the front court, an asset that could light the Western Conference on fire as the style of play shifts to a more versatile spread-out game.
Horford could also make for a potential big cog in the middle for LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles, while giving them a capable outside shooter to spread the floor — something they direly needed this past season.
Big Al can opt to go across the hall to the Clippers as well, giving a young team of scrappy players a proven veteran with a strong sense of leadership that can back up his talk on both ends of the floor.
It's likely Horford's playing days in Boston are likely over, as the first-reported mutual interest between him and the Celtics is likely to wane with the potential for a brighter future in the Western Conference.
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