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NBA Trade Rumors: 15 Teams That Should Trade For Al Horford

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) shows emotion after a made shot against the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pacers 102-96. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) shows emotion after a made shot against the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pacers 102-96. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have been popping up in trade rumors from around the league, and if it’s true that the front office wants to add a veteran touch, Al Horford is one avenue they could consider — risky though it may be. A package of Wilson Chandler, Jusuf Nurkic and a future draft pick may cut it, though the Hawks would be wise to push for Nikola Jokic over Nurkic.

In either case, Atlanta would be dealing their prized center for a quality 3-and-D wing to start next season, a tantalizing young big with potential and a future draft pick — preferably a first rounder of some sort. Chandler is out for the season following his preseason hip surgery, but with Kent Bazemore becoming a free agent this summer, trading for Ill Will could be a superior replacement.

Jokic has already displayed far more interior touch than Nurkic has, which is why the Hawks would probably push for his deft skill as opposed to Nurkic’s brute strength. But even if the Nuggets resisted, Nurkic would still be a solid acquisition to a frontcourt looking to rebuild.

For the Nuggets, re-signing Horford would be a challenge considering he’d be playing the role of mentor, but Denver severely needs a star to reconnect with fans, and it seems like Emmanuel Mudiay is still years away from becoming that player. If the front office felt confident it could assemble a competitive roster around Horford sooner rather than later, they wouldn’t be giving up that much.

Chandler is a useful player, but Gallo and the emergence of Will Barton have made him somewhat expendable. The same could be said of Nurkic/Jokic with Jokic/Nurkic and Joffrey Lauvergne on hand. However, the Hawks’ inevitable push for Jokic over Nurkic could hijack a potential deal, and no matter which center Atlanta got, developing either one doesn’t quite fit with Chandler, a win-now move.

Next: No. 4

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