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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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Nov 21, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) drives through Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) and Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

Because of his two-way versatility and ability to spread the floor, Al Horford should be one of the players at the top of the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ wish list. As currently constructed, the Cavaliers have little chance against the small-ball attack of the Warriors or the brilliance of Gregg Popovich’s game-to-game adjustments in a seven-game Finals series.

Add Horford to the mix and suddenly this becomes a very different conversation.

In this proposed deal, the Cavs add Horford with the added benefit of not giving up Kevin Love, a stretch-4 who has been an awkward fit, but still has a lot more to offer after re-signing to a five-year max deal in Cleveland. All the Cavs lose is a monster offensive rebounder and a future first round pick — easily expendable given this franchise’s painstaking quest for its first championship.

From the Hawks’ end, Thompson isn’t the sexiest acquisition, but he supplies the team with frontcourt depth and a ton of rebounding — one of the team’s biggest areas for improvement. Thompson can also slide over to the 5, so even though he doesn’t have much range on his jumper, the combination of him and a first round pick is better than letting Horford walk for nothing.

However, that may not be good enough for Atlanta, and Thompson certainly won’t fit in with the front office’s plans if they decide to start over from scratch. Cleveland would love to add Horford to its ranks and bolster the starting five for a title run, but it’s hard to see the Hawks going for an offer like this.

Next: No. 2

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