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NBA Trade Rumors: Stars On The Trading Block

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) runs up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) runs up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

Position: Power Forward/Center

Age: 29

2015-16 Salary: $12,000,000

Contract Expires: 2016

Slash Line: .504/.338/.773

Season Averages: 31.5 MPG, 15.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.0 ORPG, 3.1 APG, 1.5 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 1.0 3PM

Al Horford is commonly regarded as one of the most versatile and valuable players in the NBA. He can play both interior positions, is a skilled offensive contributor, and has improved to the point of being a key defensive asset.

Thus, it came as a surprise to all when Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported that Atlanta is considering trading Horford. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports relayed the same information:

"The Hawks can put together a strong offer from a financial and familiarity standpoint, but are expected to listen to teams that inquire about Horford because they don’t want to risk losing him for nothing, league sources said."

With two of the top names in NBA journalism fueling this rumor, it’s fair to assume that there’s at least some measure of truth to be found in it.

Horford is one of the greatest players in franchise history, but he’s also 29 years old, approaching free agency, and ringless. That won’t matter to a team that’s one player away, but it’s reason for Atlanta to explore its options.

A player of Horford’s caliber and versatility would net a massive return on the trade market, and that could make both Atlanta and the receiving team genuine contenders.

Horford’s appeal is that he can play in virtually any system and thrive. He runs the floor well, can space the floor out to the 3-point line, operates well from both the pinch post and low block, crashes the boards on both ends, is a skilled passer, and plays above-average defense in virtually every phase.

Horford may not be a superstar or a household name, but he’s the type of player that teams can win with—when there’s enough talent around him to do so.

Next: Three-Time Defensive Player of the Year