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NBA Free Agency 2016: Al Horford’s Most Ideal Destinations

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 25, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) celebrates a play with teammates in the second quarter of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) celebrates a play with teammates in the second quarter of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) and forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) and center Al Horford (15) and guard Kyle Korver (26) and forward Kent Bazemore (24) huddle up around head coach Mike Budenholzer in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) and forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) and center Al Horford (15) and guard Kyle Korver (26) and forward Kent Bazemore (24) huddle up around head coach Mike Budenholzer in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Atlanta Hawks

While many believe that Al Horford should move on to another team, there’s no way around how legitimate a possibility it is that he remains with the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta has made the playoffs in every one of Horford’s nine seasons with the team, and that must be commended.

For as brilliant a coach as Mike Budenholzer is, it still remains difficult to call re-signing the best possible option for Horford.

Budenholzer took the Hawks to 60 wins in 2014-15, and he did so by leading a team that emphasized ball movement and offensive precision. That wasn’t necessary lost in 2015-16, but after being swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, Atlanta shifted its attention to the defensive end.

Despite not having a traditional defensive stopper, Atlanta ranked No. 1 in opponent field goal percentage and No. 2 in points allowed per 100 possessions.

The unfortunate reality is that, for as promising as the Hawks’ change of culture may be, the team was swept by the Cavaliers again in 2016. Budenholzer is the real deal, but it seem as though Atlanta is still stuck in basketball limbo.

It’d be hard to blame Horford for returning to the Hawks, but it’d be very easy to understand why he’d want to leave.

Next: Taking The Next Step