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Los Angeles Lakers: Attainable Big-Name Free Agents

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA;Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (c) dunks the ball over four Philadelphia 76ers in the second half of Sunday
Mar 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA;Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (c) dunks the ball over four Philadelphia 76ers in the second half of Sunday /
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Apr 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) drives against Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) and guard Evan Turner (11) in the second quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 118-107. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) drives against Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) and guard Evan Turner (11) in the second quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 118-107. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Al Horford, Unrestricted Free Agent

Position: Forward/Center
Age: 30 (3/3/1986)
Slash Line: .505/.344/.798
Season Averages: 32.1 MPG, 15.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 ORPG, 3.2 APG, 1.5 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 1.1 3PM

The Los Angeles Lakers are as great as any team in history at acquiring star-caliber big men. Al Horford isn’t exactly Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, or Shaquille O’Neal, but he can provide a similar impact to Pau Gasol.

If the Lakers are able to land the superstar they’re so obviously pursuing, Horford could be an outstanding No. 2 or No. 3 star.

The Atlanta Hawks have made the playoffs in every one of the nine seasons Horford has been on the roster. That includes 2013-14, when it went 16-13 in 29 games played with Horford, and 22-31 in the 53 he missed due to injury.

The only other time Atlanta finished below .500 with Horford on the roster was his rookie season.

Horford’s influence can be found in every phase of the game. He has an outstanding midrange jump shot, has added 3-point range, is a plus defender, can score from the post, runs the floor well, crashes the offensive glass, and is a near 80 percent free throw shooter.

If the Lakers manage to land another star to play alongside Horford, the postseason will be a very realistic expectation.

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