Though the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers have been linked to impending free agent Al Horford, the Celtics have a division rival hoping to poach the dynamic big man away from Boston this offseason.
Per the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, the Philadelphia 76ers — who could free up to $58.9 million dollars this offseason to build around cornerstones Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid — have interest in signing Horford.
Don’t be surprised if the Sixers attempt to pursue Boston’s Al Horford, Milwaukee’s Malcolm Brogdon, and Toronto’s Danny Green among others if they don’t bring all of their top free agents back. The team has some level of interest in all three players.
This is particularly notable given the oft-heated battles between the Sixers and Celtics, as we as Horford and Embiid (including a number of matchups in which Horford has had Embiid’s number). It’s also interesting because for a man with a wife and three children, a move to Philadelphia — just five hours away from Boston — would be more practical than one to Dallas or Los Angeles. Brooklyn is just four hours away from Boston, so there’s no edge for Philadelphia there.
However, with All-NBA guard Kyrie Irving expected to sign with the Nets and looking to bring Kevin Durant along with him, there are serious questions about off-court chemistry and how much the Nets could offer the five-time All-Star.
Signing Horford would also give Philadelphia a great chance to be the best team in the Atlantic Division next season, especially with Durant likely out for the entire 2019-20 regular season and the reality that Kawhi Leonard could leave the Toronto Raptors just months after leading the franchise to their first ever NBA championship.
In between the lines, it’s apparent how the spacing Horford can provide makes driving to the rim in the halfcourt easier for Simmons and gives Embiid extra opportunity to dominate on the low block.
There are also likely to be a number of games Embiid misses as Philadelphia tries to lessen his physical load (“load management”) and make sure he’s available for the playoffs. Such games are ones where Horford would be tasked with dominating and that could be enticing for Big Al, particularly after a season in which there were too many players wanting to dominate as scorers.
Quite honestly, pursuing Horford — who is also an invaluable locker room presence with his quiet leadership and work ethic — would be a wise move for the Sixers.
Unfortunately for Boston, Philadelphia will have no issue outbidding them for Horford if they don’t re-sign swingman Jimmy Butler or forward Tobias Harris. Of Butler and Harris, there’s no certainty on where either will sign but both have been linked to multiple teams this offseason and are willing to leave the Sixers as free agents.
