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The New Orleans Pelicans have interest in signing Al Horford, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times, but are wary of the likely asking price it will take to match the offers of competing teams.
The Pelicans are indeed interested in Al Horford, according to one league source with knowledge of the situation, but have feared heading into free agency that they would be outbid for him
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 29, 2019
The expectation as recently as last week was that Horford would remain with the Boston Celtics going forward, either by opting in to the final year of his contract or re-signing on a multi-year deal that would ensure him a better sense of financial security as he enters his mid-thirties. But it was recently reported that early contract talks between Horford and the Celtics made it clear there was a gulf between the amount he was seeking and what they felt comfortable paying him, leading to an abrupt deterioration of his relationship with Boston – and all but ensuring he would sign elsewhere.
The Pelicans, after drafting Zion Williamson and acquiring Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart in the Anthony Davis trade, find themselves somewhere between rebuilding for the future and contending in the present. Adding a player of Horford's caliber would thrust the team toward the latter goal, but also cut into Williamson's playing time as a small-ball center and rob New Orleans of cap flexibility for the next two or three years. As The Times notes, the Pelicans apparently believe using the vast majority of their prospective cap space on the four-time All-Star isn't the best way to build their roster this summer.
Horford averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game during the regular season while fighting through nagging knee pain. Though his shooting numbers dipped after a strong start to the playoffs, Horford nevertheless proved his value as one of the league’s most versatile two-way big men during the Celtics’ postseason run.
