Los Angeles Lakers: Realistic tier 2 free agents to target
By Ethan Temkin
Al Horford
Given the disappointing end to the Celtic’s season, there is potential for Al Horford to leave the team for greener pastures. He’s secured a near-max contract when he signed with the Celtics back in 2015, and although he has a player option for the 2019-2020 season, Horford would be wise to decline it in lieu of more guaranteed money down the line.
Horford will be 33 going into next season and it’s pretty unlikely that any team is willing to offer him max money, including the Celtics. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to be had for cheap — my prediction is that he’ll likely be offered something in the $15M-$17M range for 3-4 years, or perhaps a J.J. Redick style deal where he gets a bloated one/two-year deal at a larger number.
The case for the Lakers to sign Horford is this — he’s a proven veteran who always elevates his game in the playoffs. He’s a smart, cerebral big man who’s capable of spreading the floor, banging down low, or making the right pass. In Brad Steven’s system, he served as one of their primary playmakers, making passes out of the post, or in the pick-and-roll with one of Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Terry Rozier.
With Boston, he averaged 13.5 points, seven rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks and while those numbers aren’t eye-popping, once again, it’s the intangibles that make Horford an intriguing free agent prospect. He’s a proven leader both on and off the court, and has valuable playoff experience, playing in multiple Eastern Conference Finals with both the Hawks and Celtics, something that this Lakers roster, as currently constructed, is sorely lacking.
In addition, should the Lakers wind up trading for Anthony Davis, Horford is one of the best options at Center to put next to Davis, who made it known that he prefers playing power forward.