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NBA: The Best 2016 Free Agent For Every Team

By Ryan Blackburn

May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Air Canada Centre prior to Indiana Pacers playing Toronto Raptors in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Air Canada Centre prior to Indiana Pacers playing Toronto Raptors in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) shows emotion after a made shot against the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pacers 102-96. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) shows emotion after a made shot against the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pacers 102-96. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Indiana Pacers – Al Horford

One of my most interesting player-team combinations, as long as the coach hired in Indiana is a good fit, Al Horford certainly is too.

Paul George was masterful in the playoffs. He was pretty efficient on a high volume of shots, and he demonstrated to every viewer why he was still a superstar. The rest of Indiana’s roster played relatively poorly though, even stud rookie Myles Turner.

Adding a player of Horford’s caliber to a max contract would be an incredible value for the Pacers. He will be 30 years old shortly, but Horford works best as the second option on a team. The Atlanta Hawks performed as well as they did against Boston because Paul Millsap was playing like a first option, and Horford mostly followed suit.

With all due respect to Millsap though, PG-13 is a far better first option, and Myles Turner is a great complement because he has the potential to space the floor on offense and protect the rim on defense at a high level. Throw in George Hill and Monta Ellis to facilitate a bit and the Pacers are looking at a top four seed in the East.

Horford has to feel confident that the new coach in Indiana is able to push them over the top, but if he feels that way, then watch out.

Next: Los Angeles Clippers