Philadelphia 76ers: Complete 2019 offseason grades

Adding Al Horford

Juxtapose a healthy 25-year-old Joel Embiid with a 33-year-old Al Horford, and you just might have one of the most potent frontcourts in basketball.

Thanks to the Jimmy Butler/Josh Richardson sign-and-trade, the Sixers were able to follow up with two additional defensive assets in lieu of just one. Assuming they would’ve still used a max on Tobias Harris, Jimmy Butler’s contract would’ve virtually made it impossible to acquire Horford. Once the news struck that Butler was on a beeline for Miami, signing the rival big man made all the more sense.

He is a no-brainer fit alongside Ben Simmons and Embiid for his pick-and-pop, pick-and-roll tendencies, and absolves the Sixers of their backup center dilemma.

Horford’s profound basketball IQ, coupled with his leadership will likely be among the blueprints that propel this team to a deep playoff run over the next few seasons. That said, his mammoth deal bears some worry beyond year 2 when his trade value starts to wane.

Grade: B+