Despite being limited in terms of trade assets and salary cap, the New York Knicks can make moves to improve their roster in free agency. Namely by pursuing Boston Celtics center Al Horford.
Although he is 38 years old and has spent 17 seasons in the NBA, he'd be a perfect fit for the Knicks. Better still, Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns could help recruit him to New York, according to ESPN insider Tim Bontemps.
Towns has ties to Horford, with them playing on the Dominican Republic National Team together. That might be enough to get a foot in the door for the Knicks.
The New York Knicks should sign Al Horford
With the Celtics shedding salary by trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, it's likely that they may not re-sign him. If that were the case and he doesn't retire, then he could sign with another contender. The Knicks would be a likely landing spot.
They could use a center with his particular skill set, with him being a skilled defender and a stretch big. He could play alongside Towns or Mitchell Robinson, giving them a versatile third big man. If he can be had for the veteran minimum, then that would be all the better for the Knicks, who don't have a lot of flexibility.
Adding a rotation player for the minimum would be a steal and give them a leg up in the Eastern Conference. Especially with the Celtics having a gap year with Jayson Tatum out for next season.
Al Horford can help the Knicks contend next season
As are Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers stars Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton, out for all of next season. If the Knicks can make some frugal signings, then they could easily make a run back to the Eastern Conference Finals. Perhaps even the NBA Finals if everything goes right.
They still don't have a head coach after firing Tom Thibideau, but one of the reasons they fired him was because he wouldn't invest in the bench. He would overrely on his starters and not give enough opportunities for young players such as Tyler Kolek and Pacome Didet.
They have at least seven rotation players that they relied heavily on last season. And if they get that up to nine or 10 rotation players, then that would dramatically improve their team without having to reshape it. Having two of their three young players step up and adding a vet like Horford could be the big difference between last season and next season.
Ultimately, the Knicks should strongly consider pursuing Al Horford. Particularly if Towns is able to convince him to join them and even take a pay cut to do so.