Al Horford just turned 39 years old, but he’s still effective enough to be ranked him as the best unrestricted free agent currently available on the market. The veteran big man continued to be a valuable piece for the Boston Celtics last season as a high-volume three-point shooter in the front court (9.5 three-point attempts per 100 possessions) who provides some rebounding, rim protection, and a little bit of switchability defensively. As Boston readies for a reset year following Jayson Tatum’s season-ending Achilles tear, Horford is destined to be on the move … unless he decides to retire.
Horford is contemplating retirement, according to the Boston Globe. If Horford does decide to play, the Golden State Warriors are the favorites to land him, according to long-time NBA insider Marc Stein. The Los Angeles Lakers were also in the running for Horford, but signing centers Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes earlier this summer likely takes them out of the running.
Will Horford choose retirement or one more year with the Warriors? That’s the biggest question left in free agency, at least among the unrestricted class.
Jonathan Kuminga free agency update
The Warriors drafted Jonathan Kuminga with the No. 7 overall pick in 2021 to be a bridge to their future. Instead, the athletic forward quickly fell out of favor with head coach Steve Kerr for his limitations as a shooter and decision-maker. Now a restricted free agent at only 22 years old, it feels like a divorce between Kuminga and the Warriors would be in the best interest of both parties, but Kuminga’s desired contract and the lack of available cap space around the league has left him lingering on the market to this point.
The Sacramento Kings have been in the hottest pursuit of Kuminga as of late. Kuminga reportedly wants a deal that pays him $30 million per year, which would require a sign-and-trade from the Warriors. Sacramento offered Golden State a package that includes Devin Carter, Dario Saric, and two second-round picks, according to The Athletic, but the Warriors felt like that was a low-ball offer. The Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat, and Washington Wizards are the other teams mentioned in the Kuminga derby.
Don’t expect a quick resolution to Kuminga’s free agency. If he really wants a big pay day, it feels like his best bet is to sign the qualifying offer and test unrestricted free agency next season. Will Kerr actually give him enough minutes to show he’s worthy for that type of deal? I’m skeptical. My gut says the Kings make the most sense here, and Carter — a first-round pick in 2024 — feels like a nice get for the Warriors in a trade package. I will predict Kuminga lands in Sacramento before training camp starts.
Chris Paul choosing between Clippers, Suns, and Bucks
Chris Paul has indicated next season will be his last in the NBA. The 40-year-old Paul is coming off a solid season with the San Antonio Spurs where he started all 82 games, and he’s reportedly hoping to remain a starter next season.
Paul is weighing offers from three teams: the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks. Paul was of course a great player for the Clippers and Suns earlier in his career, and would likely be a backup on either team (it’s likely he could get a starting spot in Phoenix). The Bucks really need any talented guard they can get, and that makes Paul a likely starter in Milwaukee if he’s signed there. The Bucks have already added Myles Turner and waived Damian Lillard this offseason, and getting Paul would feel like their best hope to maximize another season with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
I think Milwaukee is the best fit for Paul for the final year of his career, because it would offer the biggest opportunity for meaningful minutes. It sure seems like the deck is stacked against the Bucks this year, but with Giannis as the by far the best player in the East, there’s always some reason for hope.
Josh Giddey lingers in restricted free agency
Josh Giddey will be a member of the Chicago Bulls next season. The only question is the size of his contract.
Giddey reportedly wants $30 million per season in his next contract. Chicago’s offer is believed to be between $20 and $25 million. ESPN’s Bobby Marks said the two parties are “about the Gulf of Mexico apart.”
Giddey has little leverage in the situation with no remaining cap space around the league to give him the deal he’s looking for. The 22-year-old guard could bet on himself and take the one-year qualifying offer, but it would be awfully hard to turn down $100+ million just to hope you can get $150 million for another team next year.
Giddey is currently hosting his youth basketball camps in his native Australia, and there’s little momentum currently on a deal. He is likely going to have to swallow his pride a little bit without much outside interest to this point. Don’t be surprised if his next deal includes a player option on the fourth or fifth season to let him get back into unrestricted free agency sooner.
