3 Al Horford Destinations That Would Absolutely Crush the Celtics

The Boston Celtics' Jenga tower is dangerously close to collapsing in the 2019 offseason, as the team is preparing for the exits of Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, who declined a 2019 player option as he seeks a four-year deal in free agency. While he is no longer a No. 1 option, his low-post game, defense, and basketball IQ could be a major boon for these three teams.

3. Milwaukee Bucks

With Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton and Nikola Mirotic all expected to test the free agency market to some extent, Milwaukee could look a lot different come next season. Rebuilding with Horford, who adds a degree of physicality, interior defense, and rebounding they didn't have before, could help them get over the Eastern Conference Finals hump they fell flat at in 2018.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

To play with LeBron James, you need to do one of three things well: shoot the three at a solid rate, have a high basketball IQ, or add tough, physical defense. Luckily for James and the Lakers, Horford can do all three of those things. If they can make the financials work, Horford would be a natural fit in LA, even if he had to sacrifice playoff time.

1. Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn can't be discounted as a potential landing spot given Horford's association with Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson, who was an assistant during Horford's Atlanta Hawks days and a former head coach on his Dominican Republic team. With the Nets having only two true front court players last year in Jarrett Allen and Ed Davis, the latter of whom is a free agent, Brooklyn is in need of everything Horford offers.