NBA Faces Existential Summer as Offseason Fails to Ignite
A lackluster draft and underwhelming free agency moves have left the NBA scrambling for relevance, with one veteran player emerging as a potential league-changer.
The NBA is facing an unexpectedly quiet summer, a stark contrast to its recent attempts to emulate the NFL’s offseason dominance. What was envisioned as a period of high drama and fan engagement has instead yielded a series of underwhelming moves and a palpable sense of unease, leaving the league vulnerable to competition from other sports. Imagine a summer dominated by U.S. soccer matches, baseball pitching prospects, and NFL training camp updates—a scenario that, according to one observer, is unfortunately unfolding.
A Disappointing Start: The Draft and Summer League Fizzle
The league’s strategy of building hype around events like the NBA Draft and Summer League has largely backfired. The draft itself was described as “so boring” that Stephen A. Smith was brought in simply to declare the Phoenix Suns in disarray—a sentiment many already held. This lackluster showing rolled directly into a Summer League that desperately needed a boost, with some suggesting NBA TV might soon be facing financial difficulties.
Free Agency Fireworks Fail to Ignite
Free agency offered a glimmer of hope, with initial moves like Kevin Durant to Houston, Kristaps Porziņģis to Atlanta, and Deandre Ayton’s continued presence with the Mavericks generating headlines. However, a closer look reveals a series of “body-shuffling” transactions—Cam Johnson for Michael Porter Jr., Jordan Poole for CJ McCollum, Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday, Desmond Bane for a package of draft picks—that have left many questioning whether any teams genuinely improved.
“OK, maybe the Rockets did,” one analyst conceded, adding that a few other teams, like Atlanta, might benefit, though their impact remains questionable. The Hornets’ activity has certainly raised eyebrows, but the overall sentiment is one of stagnation.
Power Shifts and Open Doors
The current landscape has inadvertently created opportunities for teams previously on the periphery. Every Eastern Conference team outside of Indiana now feels emboldened by the Celtics’ apparent concession of the 2025-26 season, while in the West, Phoenix’s vulnerability in the Finals has opened the door for challengers. The Knicks are reportedly eyeing LeBron James, the Bucks are rallying around Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Warriors remain an enigma.
This uncertainty is “terrifying,” as one source put it, highlighting the league’s precarious position. Damian Lillard is reportedly taking a sabbatical, and LeBron James remains unlikely to move. However, one player stands out as a potential game-changer: Al Horford.
Al Horford: The Unexpected Key to Contention
At 39, Al Horford possesses a unique ability to elevate any team he joins. The Celtics’ symbolic “white flag” – potentially adorned with the number “42” – underscores his importance to the franchise. Over the past four seasons in Boston, Horford has been instrumental in bolstering Jayson Tatum’s All-NBA profile, even demonstrating his value when Tatum was absent.
Horford’s consistent three-point shooting—456 threes at a 39.2% clip—has effectively functioned as assists for Tatum, earning him recognition for “doing all the little things.” This floor-spacing ability complements his exceptional defensive prowess, allowing the Celtics to consistently assign him to opposing teams’ most dangerous scorers. Tatum, meanwhile, has benefited from uncontested rebounding opportunities.
A Contender for Multiple Teams
The impact of Horford extends far beyond Boston. He could transform the Golden State Warriors, forming an impenetrable defensive wall with Draymond Green and providing the consistent three-point shooting Green lacks. He could mentor Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio, stabilize Anthony Davis in Los Angeles, or even revitalize the Miami Heat. Oklahoma City, despite its youth, could also be a contender, as Horford’s veteran presence wouldn’t require a max contract—a ring might be sufficient.
He could even provide stability for the injury-prone Chet Holmgren. The Lakers are also reportedly interested, recognizing his potential to mentor their young players. While loyalty might keep him in Boston, the Celtics’ potential decline without him is a stark warning.
One man holds disproportionate power in the NBA right now. He is, as one commentator put it, “the male Caitlin Clark—with a way more reliable jumper.”
