10 bold predictions for 2019 NBA free agency
6. The Dallas Mavericks will swoop in for Al Horford
When Al Horford originally opted out of his $30.1 million salary for the upcoming season, it was assumed he’d be agreeing to a three-year extension with the Boston Celtics. That quickly devolved into Horford’s imminent departure, most likely because he’s set to receive a four-year offer for more than $100 million elsewhere:
Numerous teams and agents believe Al Horford has a four-year offer awaiting him in free agency worth an estimated $112 million. Sources with knowledge of the Mavericks’ thinking continue to insist that such a deal will NOT be coming from Dallas. Free agency starts in eight days
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 21, 2019
While this report specifically mentions it won’t be coming from the Dallas Mavericks, that could very easily be a smokescreen. Kemba Walker, one of the Mavs’ other top targets, is probably going to Boston. Someone like Kevin Durant is wishful thinking, since Dallas is a dark horse at best in that race.
Why not add Horford to the frontcourt with Kristaps Porzingis and create one of the best defensive duos in the league, as The Ringer‘s Kevin O’Connor reports they will try to do?
Horford is an experienced and underrated veteran who would raise the Mavs’ playoff prospects immediately. He’d no longer be in his prime by the time Porzingis and Luka Doncic are ready to contend for titles, but he’d provide the bridge to get there.
Horford will have plenty of suitors, but none of them is truly compelling. The Philadelphia 76ers would have to lose two of their main three agents for a Horford-Joel Embiid pairing to make sense, and the Sacramento Kings, while being a fun, young team on the rise, don’t have two superstar cornerstones like Dallas. The Kings will also give a four-year, $98 million deal to Harrison Barnes.
Bearing all that in mind, the Mavs are a more entertaining match. If we’re making bold predictions, let’s go with that route.