Hoops Habit
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
Apr 16, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in game one of their first round NBA Playoff series at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in game one of their first round NBA Playoff series at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

More hoops habit: Al Horford could end up with the Los Angeles Lakers. This is how.

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.