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, MA – FEBRUARY 9: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics shoots mid range jumper over Montreal Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers on February 9, 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) /

1. Los Angeles Clippers

If Kawhi Leonard leaves the Toronto Raptors this summer, he’s all but certain to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

If that happens, Horford should seriously consider joining him.

Even if the Clippers keep Sindarius Thornwell ($1.6 million) and Ty Wallace ($1.6 million) and give qualifying offers to Rodney McGruder ($3.0 million) and Ivica Zubac ($1.9 million), they’re poised to enter free agency with nearly $53 million in salary-cap space. They could sign Leonard to his full four-year, $140.6 million max contract and still have more than $21 million left over for Horford, not to mention the $4.8 million room mid-level exception.

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The Clippers already have an excellent supporting cast in place, from young guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Landry Shamet to veterans such as Danilo Gallinari, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell. However, they lack star power after shipping Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of the February trade deadline.

If the Clips brought in Leonard and Horford this summer, they could follow in the footsteps of the 2018-19 Raptors, especially in the wide-open Western Conference. They’d be a deep, versatile team with the ability to counter whatever opponents threw at them, which would make them an instant title contender.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Basketball Insiders.

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