NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Should Trade For Al Horford

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Oct 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) makes a move against Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford (15) in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

4. San Antonio Spurs

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Al Horford is 100 percent San Antonio Spurs material.

Horford is just about as professional as they come. He’s soft-spoken, hard-working, team-oriented, and he does what’s asked of him — no more, no less. This self-awareness is exactly what the Spurs seek from every one of their players.

It may seem redundant to trade for Horford, especially since the team already features perhaps the best front line in the NBA (comprised of Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge), but adding the Hawks’ forward would allow Duncan to rest more during the regular season, and of course, bring in a scoring punch that would make San Antonio’s frontcourt nothing short of dominant.

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Horford has looked excellent in Mike Budenholzer’s offense, a Spurs derivative. His screens are absolutely fantastic, as is his timing on the roll or pop action right after.

LaMarcus Aldridge, of course, is a fantastic pick and roll player as well, but he’s most effective on the left baseline and crashing the offensive glass, so using Horford — who loves to operate from the right elbow — as the primary screener would allow the now-struggling Aldridge to stay in his comfort zone, while maintaining the spacing and balance that makes the Spurs offensive machine so effective.

Unfortunately, getting Horford into San Antonio would be somewhat difficult due to salary-matching issues. It’s reasonable to say that the Spurs shouldn’t cough up too many assets for Horford, and unfortunately, the team has really only committed large salaries to its absolutely essential players.

In this scenario, Milwaukee is used as the facilitator. The Bucks, a team desperate for veteran leadership, bring in the ever-savvy Boris Diaw as well as Matt Bonner, a near lifelong Spur. Atlanta gets the expiring contract of O.J. Mayo, as well as two young prospects in Kyle Anderson and Jonathon Simmons, both of whom could be solid rotational players down the road. San Antonio, of course, makes out with Horford.

Next: No. 3