This week it became clear the Denver Nuggets wanted to address their back-up center need.
They seemed to accomplish just that in a move that saw them move Dario Saric for veteran Jonas Valanciunas.
But several news sources are reporting the 33-year-old big man could bolt the NBA in favor of the EuroLeague, more specifically Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens.
That would, once again, leave the Nuggets with a key need at back-up center behind three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
And the answer may be a familiar name.
One of the most-discussed veterans on the free agent market this offseason is NBA veteran Al Horford, an NBA champion and five-time NBA all-star.
According to NBA insider Michael Scotto, Denver was one of several teams kicking the tires on the 39-year-old big man before making the move to acquire Valanciunas.
If, in fact, the recently-acquired veteran is headed overseas, renewed (and perhaps ramped-up) interest in Horford makes sense.
Here’s what Denver Post reporter Bennett Durando had to say about a Horford addition prior to the Valanciunas trade.
“Horford checks so many boxes for Denver that he almost seems too good to be true. He’s a switchable, floor-spacing, 6-foot-9 champion who could serve as Nikola Jokic’s backup center or play alongside Jokic in double-big lineups. Aging players are always a risk, of course. Horford turned 39 in June. But even that could work to the Nuggets’ advantage. If retirement is on his mind and he wants to leave his options open next offseason, signing a one-year contract matches Denver’s financial timeline by getting Horford off the books exactly when Christian Braun’s potential extension will take effect.”
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has reported that Horford is down to three options: Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors or retirement.
But that may not account for the Nuggets possible, unexpected departure, and it’s an update that came prior to the Lakers signing Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal.
If, in fact, Valanciunas leaves before playing a single minute in Denver, don’t be surprised if the Nuggets double-down on an attempt to lure Horford.
