NBA Rumors: These Two Teams Expected To Pursue Al Horford In Free Agency

If Al Horford does indeed leave the Boston Celtics, and it’s looking like that will be the case, the current signs are pointing toward him not facing his soon-to-be former team too often.

The veteran big man reportedly plans to opt out of his contract and sign elsewhere once free agency opens, despite receiving a reported “pretty healthy” offer from the Celtics. Since news broke earlier in the week of Horford’s impending departure, a variety of landing spots have been floated as possibilities for the 33-year-old — among them the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans.

But on Saturday morning, The Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett (who is one of the most tuned-in Celtics reporters), said he’s been hearing about two teams since the Horford news developed: The Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.

Both locations make some sense, however, if Horford is hellbent on getting a ring, the Clippers do make more sense than the Mavericks. Dallas has some exciting young talent, primarily Luka Doncic, so it’s understandable why it might be enticing for Horford. But the Clippers look like they’re trying to make a splash in free agency and start really contending, so that would be a huge draw for Horford, presumably.