The Boston Celtics would be in a rough spot without Jaylen Brown performing at an MVP-caliber level.
The California product has put the shorthanded Celtics on his back lately, notching 25+ points in eight of his last nine contests and helping Boston ascend to the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference in Jayson Tatum’s absence (Achilles injury).
Brown could certainly use some more assistance moving forward, and Hardwood Houdini’s Jack Simone has an interesting roster move in mind for the franchise.
Simone believes that Boston could reunite with a 39-year-old NBA champion center on the buyout market.
“The Horford the Celtics know is unlike the player who has taken the floor for Golden State this year. And they could still use him,” Simone wrote Friday.
“It seems highly unlikely that the Warriors would buy out Horford, and even more unlikely that the Celtics would sign him if they did.”
“However, adding Horford would absolutely help the Celtics’ center room. He would give them a great backup center behind Neemias Queta. A vocal leader and someone who knows what it takes to win.”
“And if they could land him on a minimum contract post buyout (in line with around when Jayson Tatum could potentially return), it could be a perfect storm.”
Horford has struggled mightily with the Golden State Warriors this season. The longtime veteran elected to leave the Celtics for the Warriors in free agency, hoping to improve his odds of winning another title before retiring.
Unfortunately, the Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic native is stuck on an average Western Conference with a low ceiling, and hasn’t exactly done his part to help the Dubs escape mediocrity.
Horford is averaging 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 32.1% from the field and 29.8% from three-point land.
Still, the Florida product is only a year removed from a successful campaign with the Celtics, and given his familiarity with the organization and chemistry with Brown and Tatum, a reunion could benefit from parties.
Of course, the Warriors would have to be content with moving on from Horford for a reunion to come to fruition, but it’s an idea worth considering in the meantime.
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