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

By Jon Shames

Mar 31, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Detroit won 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Detroit won 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford (15, right) grabs a pass as Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) defends in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford (15, right) grabs a pass as Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) defends in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Washington Wizards

Screen Shot 2016-01-31 at 12.16.58 PM
Screen Shot 2016-01-31 at 12.16.58 PM /

The Washington Wizards have been seriously underwhelming this year, and the poor performance of their frontcourt has been a big reason why. The Marcin Gortat-Nene pairing down low has been a train wreck on both ends, and few believe that Nene will be on the roster after the deadline this year.

Well, this could make the Atlanta Hawks the perfect trade partner for Washington, and vice-versa.

Horford brings much-needed defensive versatility to a Washington team that struggles to match up against small-ball teams. Horford isn’t a great athlete, but he is an intelligent defender with excellent length. He can play a step back on his man because of that length, and if he does get burned, he can recover easily.

Horford’s shooting ability would also be key for this Washington club. Nene is one of the NBA’s weaker midrange shooters, and is converting just 35 percent of his looks from that area this season. Though a great passer, his inability to knock down elbow jumpers really hurts the Wizards’ high-low game. As we’ve established, operating from the high post is one of Horford’s many fortes.

The Wizards could swing a deal for Horford and acquire Tiago Splitter in the process, who would be a good big to bring off the bench. Sending the 22-year-old Otto Porter Jr. to the Hawks would make it easier for Atlanta to part with Horford, and it would allow Washington to rid themselves of Nene, who the Hawks would only have to hang on to for the rest of this season.

Atlanta would be able to get rid of Tiago Splitter’s multi-year deal in this scenario, bringing in another expiring contract as well as a promising two-way prospect in the process.

For the Wizards, Horford could be the key to pushing them into the playoffs this season, and with only $43 million in committed salary for next year, the team would have enough to re-sign Horford to a max deal. For Wizards fans, losing Porter Jr. may be hard to stomach, but Horford could easily make this team a contender for the next few seasons.

Next: No. 2