Horford is one of the few impact players Cleveland could target in free agency.
The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have much they can do in free agency, considering they’re a second-apron team. They can only fill out their three remaining roster spots with minimum contract players. But one of the players they could target is veteran forward Al Horford.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently made a free agency guide listing a move that he would make for each team. His move for the Cavaliers was signing Horford in free agency to a one-year minimum contract of $3.6 million.
It isn’t difficult to see how this move would help the Cavs. They need additional depth in the frontcourt, considering Dean Wade is the only true big they can play in the rotation. Trying to fit De’Andre Hunter into the four spot hasn’t been the best experiment, and it has kept him from playing his natural position, small forward.
Horford isn’t the player he once was, but he’s still incredibly useful in his role. He averaged 9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on .432/.363/.895 shooting splits in 60 games for the Boston Celtics last season.
Even though he isn’t the defensive presence he was in his prime, or even two years ago during Boston’s title run, he remains a smart team defender and a good rebounder. Throw in his ability to space the floor and facilitate with the ball in his hands, and it’s easy to see how he could immediately make a positive impact on the team.
Horford also has experience with Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson. Atkinson was an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks from 2012-16 when Horford was with the team.
There will undoubtedly be multiple suitors for Horford. Many teams can use the veteran big man’s presence on both ends of the floor.
We’ll see who the Cavs can add in free agency with minimum contracts. They currently have three open roster slots. Free agency begins Monday at 6 P.M.