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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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 09: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball while guarded by Jaylen Brown #7 and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics in the first half at Staples Center on March 9, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

3. Los Angeles Lakers

After swinging a trade for New Orleans Pelicans superstar big man Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers must decide whether to spend their remaining salary-cap space on a third star or bolster the depth of their top-heavy roster.

If they work out their issues with the timing of the trade, Horford would be an appealing fit.

As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks reported Tuesday, the Lakers are “scrambling to reshape the parameters” of the trade to “create the capacity for $32 million-plus in salary-cap space when the free-agent moratorium ends on July 6.” The Lakers would prefer to push back finalizing the deal until July 30, which would allow them to first spend their remaining cap space before executing the trade as an over-the-cap team.

If the Pelicans refuse to bend and Davis doesn’t waive his trade kicker, the Lakers will be down to $23.7 million in cap space, but that still may be enough to lure Horford. The prospect of pairing up with Davis and LeBron James in the suddenly wide-open West could appeal to him, as he’s never had a teammate as talented as either player.

With James under contract for at least two more seasons, the Lakers might be open to giving Horford a hefty multiyear deal, as they’re firmly in win-now mode. Having Horford would allow Davis to shift down to the 4 at times, which would help to reduce the physical punishment he endures against burly bigs, and the Lakers could trot out supersized lineups that would give most teams fits.

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