Los Angeles Lakers Should Pursue Al Horford In NBA Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a pivotal offseason to their chances of building back up to being a serious playoff contender. They will have a good amount of money to spend, and there are a few different players that they should target. DeMar DeRozan is the biggest name that comes up when talking about the Lakers and free agency, but there is one other player that they should target more than others.

Al Horford is set to hit the open free agency market, and the Lakers should pursue him immediately when free agency begins.

Last season with the Atlanta Hawks, Horford ended up averaging 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He shot 50.5 percent from the floor overall, and knocked down 34.4 percent from the three-point line. Atlanta wasn’t the best place for him to show off his full offensive repertoire, but the Lakers would be able to offer him the role that he needs.

At 29-years-old, the Lakers would be signing a long-term franchise post player in Horford. Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and D’Angelo Russell are the future of the Lakers, but bringing in a veteran leader like Horford would be exactly what the doctor ordered. A team can never have too much of a balance between youth and veterans.

There are plenty of other teams that will be lined up looking to sign Horford the second that free agency begins. Atlanta feels very good about their chances to bring him back. Los Angeles will have to be aggressive immediately if they want to have any chance at bringing him on board.

Luke Walton was hired as the head coach of the Lakers, which has excited the fan base in a big way. It has excited the players as well, as a report broke that Jordan Clarkson ran around his house with excitement after hearing that Walton was hired.

Having a coach like Walton in town could be of interest to Horford when he considers all his options in free agency.

Adding Horford to the young nucleus of talent that the Lakers have will do two different things. First of all, it will add the post scorer that they have been trying to find. Secondly, he will be able to teach the young players about the game and mentor them as they continue to grow.

Kobe Bryant is on his way out of town, which opens up the leadership role. He has been the face of the Lakers’ franchise for years, but the time has come for him to pass the torch.

Los Angeles could get themselves back into playoff contention as soon as next season if they make the right moves. They hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, which will likely net them Brandon Ingram. Adding him to the already impressive list of young talent will give the Lakers another threat.

Looking ahead at their potential starting lineup, there are not many issues that they will have. Russell, Clarkson, Ingram, Randle, and Horford would make for a lethal starting five.

All of that being said, the Lakers have not been rumored to have major interest in Horford yet. More rumors will continue coming out in the next few weeks, and it wouldn’t be shocking to hear that they have interest in signing the Atlanta big man. Horford would definitely consider an up-and-coming team like the Lakers with the type of money that they can offer and the future that their young talent appears to have.

Do you think that the Los Angeles Lakers should pursue a deal with Al Horford in NBA free agency? Would he be the missing piece that helps take them back to the playoffs in the next year or two? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[Photo by AP Photo/David Zalubowski]