NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 potential destinations for Al Horford

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 28: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on January 28, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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BOSTON – JANUARY 4: Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) finds his path to the basket blocked by Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the fourth quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks in a regular season NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston on Jan. 4, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

4. Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks made two big splashes over the past 12 months, acquiring Luka Doncic during the 2018 draft and Kristaps Porzingis ahead of February’s trade deadline. Those deals cost them their 2019, 2021 and 2023 first-round picks, so they may feel more win-now urgency than a typical team with two under-25 cornerstones.

In Horford, the Mavericks may find a dream pick-and-roll partner for Doncic. The big man added a reliable 3-point shot to his arsenal over the past few years, so he could pop out to the perimeter or roll to the basket after setting a screen for the Slovenian wunderkind.

Horford is an excellent passer in his own right, too, so Dallas could use him as an offensive hub out of the high post. Reducing the playmaking burden on Doncic could allow him to work more as a catch-and-shoot threat or a cutter, which may make him even more lethal than he already was during his dazzling debut campaign.

The Mavericks figure to re-sign Porzingis, a restricted free agent, to a five-year, $158 million max contract at some point this summer. However, it would behoove them to first spend their $30-plus million cap space and keep his $17.1 million cap hold on their books before finalizing that deal.

By signing Horford as their starting center, Dallas could reduce the wear-and-tear on Porzingis as he works his way back from a torn ACL that forced him to miss the entire 2018-19 campaign. Although Horford isn’t on the same developmental timeline as the Mavs’ top young prospects, his game is likely to age well as he proceeds deeper into his 30s.

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