Why the Detroit Pistons should not sign Al Horford

4. Max contract.

You can only assume a player of Horford’s caliber is looking for a large deal, especially at this point in his career. This could very well be the last big money contract before he begins the chase for a ring, like many older players do as their careers wind down.

With extensions for Drummond as well as KCP coming along down the track, would the Pistons be able to accommodate those contracts while already having tied up a lot of money with Horford? Not to mention bring in a backup point guard, a third-string point guard (If Michael Gbinije doesn’t prove enough in Summer League) and a third-string center.

You would have to assume if the Pistons were to land Horford, they would be bringing in some extremely cheap help in those departments. Unless they had a couple of trades up their sleeve.

There are other options available to be taken this offseason. Other options that would cost a fraction of  the price of Horford and also have a much better fit than he would. At the end of the day, Al Horford is a great player.

He can spread the floor, play solid defense, he can do it all. But only from the center position. This is where Van Gundy needs to go with fit over talent. He had a lot of talent the first year he came to Detroit, but without the fit it didn’t work out at all.

Next: Detroit Pistons make Ish Smith first signing of free agency

Van Gundy needs to stick with the marathon, not start a sprint approach. Just because Al is one of the biggest and best free agents this year doesn’t mean the president of basketball operations should spend all of the Pistons’ cap space going after him. Make small adjustments and continue doing what you’re doing. The right player will come along. That player just doesn’t happen to be Al Horford.