Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2019: 20 best players available

By Brendon Kleen

Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 06: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 06, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 113-101. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 06: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 06, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 113-101. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

11. Al Horford, C, Boston Celtics, Player Option/Unrestricted

Horford opted to play the long game, declining his $30.12 million option for next season, the biggest salary he’ll land the rest of his career at age 33. However, after another great season for the Celtics, particularly in the playoffs, the lure of locking in a longer-term deal made more sense.

What team would want Horford on that type of deal, though? There is not an obvious answer. Few teams can afford him outright, and he will not be a top priority for any of them — Indiana, the Lakers and the Knicks all have an answer at center and will be looking for guard help with their money. The Hawks are likely to prefer to use their cap space to absorb bad money to accumulate future assets, as evidenced by their trade with Brooklyn last week, taking on Allen Crabbe’s contract and acquiring the No. 17 pick.

Perhaps sign-and-trade options could materialize for a capped-out team like Denver, Miami or Portland that would benefit the Celtics as well, but Horford’s market will be fascinating. Get this guy to a competitive team for the few years he has left!

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