2019 NBA free agency: 5 potential landing spots for Al Horford
By Mason McFee
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Adding a high-IQ, facilitating, unselfish and defensive-minded player next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis makes a lot of sense and that’s also what Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer believes too.
The Lakers currently have about $23 million in cap space and are working towards opening up more money for another max slot. The max slot isn’t likely for Al Horford, but if the Lakers strike out on one of the top free agents, Horford isn’t a bad Plan B.
LeBron James has logged 64 percent of his career minutes in the regular season at the small forward position. Davis has logged 55 percent of his career minutes at the center position, including a whopping 96 percent last season. As the Lakers’ roster stands right now, their starting point guard is going to be Alex Caruso and their starting shooting guard is going to be Isaac Bonga.
We fully expect that to change in the coming months, but Horford would slot nicely in as the starting power forward (or center). He would offer James reduced pressure on the offensive end, while also serving as another screener and facilitator to create opportunities for Davis and the King — and whoever else the Lakers fill their roster out with.
Again, the fit makes sense, but the money may prevent this from happening.