5 free agency destinations for Al Horford

Though the 2015-16 Orlando Magic are almost certainly going to miss the Eastern Conference playoffs again this season, the Magic already have an interesting and dynamic young corps. Players like Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Vucevic present a group of players that could form a strong supporting cast around an All-Star caliber player in Orlando for the next few years.

Orlando aggressively pursued Horford’s teammate power forward Paul Millsap last summer in free agency before Millsap re-upped with Atlanta for three more years. Orlando is clearly looking for a power forward to pair alongside Vucevic in the Magic frontcourt.

Going to Orlando does offer a few intriguing possibilities that Horford simply can’t get in Atlanta. He’ll be able to play his natural position of power forward for the first time in his NBA career, having to play out of position in Atlanta alongside Josh Smith and then Millsap.

Horford did play at the University of Florida in Gainesville, so he is very familiar with the area’s strong basketball culture. Playing in Florida means no state income tax and Horford’s decision to sign with the Magic would immediately make Orlando an Eastern Conference Playoff team.

At this stage of his NBA career, Horford can’t be the best player on a championship level team, but could stand as a viable No. 2 All-Star on a contender. While he would be No. 1 at the time in Orlando, he could provide the valued leadership and playoff experience that has been negated in the Magic organization since Dwight Howard skipped town after the 2011-12 NBA season.

By going to the Magic, he would be able to usher in a new wave of dominant Magic basketball, possibly grooming Vucevic to take that next quantum leap in his play. If Vucevic becomes a star in the NBA, then Orlando can contend in the East. Horford could bridge the gap from irrelevance to dominance in Orlando if he ultimately signs there.

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