Atlanta Hawks big man and four-time NBA All-Star Al Horford will be one of the most coveted free agents on the 2016 market. With which team should he sign?
Al Horford has earned his place as one of the most respected and revered players in the NBA. A four-time All-Star who has spent his entire nine-year career with the Atlanta Hawks, Horford is the epitome of consistency and the embodiment of a well-rounded player.
During the summer of 2016, however, Horford will become something that he’s never been before: an unrestricted free agent.
Horford has no debilitating weakness in his game. He can face up with range beyond the 3-point line, operate from the elbow or the low post, box out on both ends, run the floor well in transition, is an excellent passer, and is even a talented enough ball-handler to occasionally bring the ball up.
Some have questioned his defensive ability, but Horford was the anchor for a Hawks team that ranked No. 1 in opponent field goal percentage and No. 2 in points allowed per 100 possessions in 2015-16.
Thus, it’d be very difficult to find a system that Horford couldn’t enter and thrive in. Season averages of 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 offensive boards, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks, 0.8 steal, and 1.1 3-point field goals made on a slash line of .505/.344/.798 firmly establish his versatility.
The question is, which team should Horford sign with?
Next: The Value of Connections
Honorable Mention: Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets will likely be near the top of Al Horford’s list of preferred destinations. That’s likely surprising due to the fact that the Nets went 21-61 in 2015-16, but there’s a vital connection that could lead Horford to Brooklyn: new head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Per Kevin Arnowitz of ESPN, Horford credits Atkinson, who was an Atlanta Hawks assistant coach from 2012 to 2016, with his development as a player.
"“He believes you can improve as a player, even at the highest level, and that there’s always something you can add to your game,” Hawks big man Al Horford says. “He’s been here for three years with me, and he’s challenged me. For instance, before he got here, I was pretty much a shooter on the pick-and-pop. I was never really driving. Kenny has challenged me to put the ball on the floor. It’s something we’ve worked on together, and now it’s something I feel comfortable doing.”"
Thus, it’s hard to write Brooklyn off as an option.
In Brooklyn, Horford would step in at power forward to play alongside starting center Brook Lopez. Both men have made the All-Star Game, and both are skilled offensive players who can provide the Nets with an intriguing low-high balance.
It’s worth questioning if Thaddeus Young would be able to thrive at the 3, but he’d certainly have trade value if the answer proves to be, “No.”
The reason this is an honorable mention is that Brooklyn lacks the complementary pieces to become an overnight contender by merely signing Horford. Horford and Lopez would make for one of the best interior combinations in the NBA, and Atkinson knows how to maximize talent, but Brooklyn lacks stability along the perimeter.
If Brooklyn manages to acquire some attractive backcourt pieces, however, Horford could be a very savvy signing.
Next: Nine Years Strong
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
4. Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards may have missed the playoffs in 2015-16, but the team is equipped for an immediate turnaround. John Wall is widely regarded as one of the Top 5 point guards in the NBA, Marcin Gortat is a consistent force at center, and Bradley Beal is a restricted free agent, meaning any offer he receives can be matched.
If Washington misses out on Kevin Durant, then signing Al Horford would be an outstanding consolation prize.
Wall, who averaged 19.9 points and 10.2 assists in 2015-16, is in dire need of a power forward who can score via the pick-and-pop. Washington won a postseason series in both 2014 and 2015 with Nene Hilario filling that role, but his age and injuries hurt the Wizards this past season.
Introducing Horford into that role would inevitably push Washington into the upper tier of the Eastern Conference.
If healthy, a core of Wall, Beal, Horford, and Gortat would be one of the most imposing in the Eastern Conference. Wall is a master facilitator, Beal is a proven postseason performer, and Gortat is a strong and steady center who would enable Horford to work the 4 and better display his versatility.
This may not lead to an immediate run at a championship, on paper, but with both Horford and Wall in their respective primes, the complements of Beal and Gortat could help Washington contend.
Next: Conquering The East?
3. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have the assets to sign Al Horford and make a trade for another star-caliber player. Not many teams can claim such a thing, while simultaneously possessing enough depth to have a solid rotation to place around said acquisitions.
If Horford is looking to win in the Eastern Conference, then Boston would be the best possible destination.
Brad Stevens is one of the most respected coaches in the NBA, and Isaiah Thomas is an All-Star point guard. Boston throws a limitless amount of depth at opponents, but it’s very clearly lacking a big man who can take over in big games.
If Horford can fill that role, it’s conceivable that Boston, which went 48-34 in 2015-16, could take the next step as a contender.
The reason that Boston is lower than it could be is the uncertainty surround whom Horford would be paired with. It’s hard to imagine the Celtics holding onto their eight draft picks, which suggests a blockbuster trade is imminent, but what if no deal can be executed?
It seems unlikely, but Boston has too much, “If,” for a higher ranking—for now.
2. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are the perfect team for just about every star-caliber free agent. Head coach Gregg Popovich makes life significantly easier for players with his mastery of managing egos and injuries, and his uncanny ability to create easier scoring opportunities.
If San Antonio can clear space for a run at Kevin Durant, then it most certainly could for a more affordable pursuit of Al Horford.
Horford’s skill set fits just about every offensive system, but it’s tailor made for Popovich’s Spurs. He has one of the best midrange games in the NBA, regardless of position, and is capable of pounding the post in the manner San Antonio likes to.
To couple Horford with LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard would be to create one of the most versatile and effective frontcourts in the NBA.
Tim Duncan turned 40 years old in April, and while he showed enough to continue playing in 2016-17, San Antonio needs a long-term answer at the 5. Aldridge has the 4 locked down, but the absence of a center who can start on a full-time basis could hurt the Spurs in future seasons.
Having already played for Mike Budenholzer—a longtime assistant to Popovich—it stands to reason that Horford would be welcomed with open arms in San Antonio.
Next: No. 3 Star, No. 1 Option
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder could lose Kevin Durant to free agency. If Durant returns, however, he and Russell Westbrook will likely be hoping to see an improved supporting cast placed around them.
If Durant is returning, it would behoove Al Horford to explore a sign-and-trade to the Thunder.
If Durant commits to returning, executing a sign-and-trade for Horford could land OKC its missing piece in the pursuit of an attainable dynasty. The Atlanta Hawks will not want to lose Horford for nothing, and that creates this intriguing possibility.
If Atlanta believes it can maximize the potential of center Enes Kanter, swapping Horford for Kanter—who’s due $17,145,838 in 2016-17—could push Oklahoma City over the edge.
Billy Donovan, now head coach of the Thunder, coached Horford to a pair of national championships as then members of the NCAA’s Florida Gators. Thus, the idea of pairing Horford with Donovan is just as intriguing as introducing him as an all-around complement to Durant and Westbrook.
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With a core of Durant, Horford, Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka, one could make a very strong case that Oklahoma City would have the best four-man combination in the NBA.