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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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Dec 10, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) fight for a rebound during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Oklahoma City Thunder

This would be a swing-for-the-fences kind of move for the Oklahoma City Thunder, shooting for a title run this season and asking questions later, when Horford and Kevin Durant both hit free agency this summer. The Thunder would also be sacrificing quite a bit of depth between Dion Waiters, Kyle Singler, and the bright future that is Mitch McGary.

But even with a departure of depth and a crowded frontcourt of Horford, Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams, Enes Kanter and Nick Collison, that much talent in the frontcourt is not the worst problem to have. Horford could step into the starting five alongside Ibaka, bolstering the Thunder’s defense and helping spread the floor in a way that would be impossible to stop for opposing defenses.

With both Ibaka and Horford capable of stepping out and knocking down three-pointers and midrange jumpers, along with their abilities to defend on the other end, a move like this would make the Thunder an imposing threat to the ongoing reign of the Golden State Warriors. Justin Holiday, who showed promise last season with the Dubs, would be added to balance out the number of interchanging players.

And what would OKC be giving up? An inefficient bench gunner who’s shooting 40.1 percent from the field, a small forward on a five-year deal who’s only playing 13.1 minutes a night, and 23-year-old sophomore who hasn’t come close to cracking Billy Donovan‘s rotation yet.

Unfortunately, a package revolving around three players fitting those descriptions may not appeal to the Hawks, even with a first rounder thrown in and even with McGary’s intriguing potential in mind. What the Thunder really need is more depth and perimeter shooting, so although Horford playing alongside Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Ibaka would be close to basketball porn, it’s probably not realistic.

Next: No. 14

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