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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 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 /

11. Washington Wizards

A season that began with dreams of luring Kevin Durant in free agency has crumbled into an ongoing struggle just to reach .500 for the Washington Wizards. Though they’re only three games out of the East’s final playoff spot, the Wizards have had problems building any momentum in what’s looking like a lost season.

Other than firing head coach Randy Wittman midseason, Washington’s only other option is some kind of trade to shake up the roster before the deadline. Putting together a package that pairs Al Horford with John Wall and Bradley Beal for the foreseeable future wouldn’t be the worst decision, because let’s be honest: Durant isn’t happening this summer.

Though the Wizards would have to worry about re-signing Horford over the summer, he’d provide Washington with a versatile two-way player and passer to help this team shake off the doldrums. Marcin Gortat has been successful playing off of Wall; just imagine how well Horford would fit in since he’d also bring the kind of range Gortat just doesn’t have.

For the Hawks, a trade package centered around Gortat, Otto Porter Jr. and a future draft pick of some sort would make sense if the front office wanted the team to remain competitive. Gortat is still signed on through the 2018-19 season and Porter has some potential despite his “breakout season” being less than C.J. McCollum-like.

However, the Hawks would get better packages for Horford than this, and at age 31, Gortat might not be more attractive on a long-term deal than keeping Horford OR trading him to start from scratch — even if a player like Porter would help in that regard.

The Wizards may also prefer to keep their young Wall-Beal-Porter trio together rather than worry about negotiating deals for Beal and Horford in free agency.

Next: No. 10

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