While the Boston Celtics may not be a contender next year due to Jayson Tatum’s injury, that doesn’t mean fans don’t want fan favorite Al Horford back on the team.
Horford, who could decide to retire if things don’t go as planned over the next few days to weeks, would be wanted by fans in Boston to finish out his career in the city.
He also saw, when he left the first time, that things aren’t always better on the other side.
However, given how old he is and the likely lack of years he has remaining in the league, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him depart.
Some have suggested that he could sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, but after they signed Deandre Ayton, it remains uncertain what the interest looks like.
Despite that, according to Evan Sidery, an NBA Insider, the Lakers still have interest in Horford.
“Even after signing Deandre Ayton, the Lakers remain in strong pursuit of Al Horford,” Sidery wrote.
“Ideally, Los Angeles wants to add a pick-and-roll lob threat alongside a stretch-five. Signing Ayton and Horford would certainly accomplish that goal.”
MORE: Insider slams Celtics as major free agency losers
It’s possible that their interest could dwindle after Thursday, as they signed another center in the form of Jaxson Hayes, but Horford is still better than Hayes at this stage of his career, and there’s probably even a strong argument to be made that he was better than Ayton last season.
Of course, Ayton and Hayes are much younger, but that doesn’t always mean everything. The Lakers want to win now, so if he can provide that, which he clearly can after last season, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to continue pursuing him.
