NBA: 5 high profile players potentially on the trade market this offseason
By Dalton Sell
Al Horford
When the Philadelphia 76ers signed Al Horford to a four-year, $106 million contract this season, the move provided mixed feelings. $106 million was a hefty price for a 33-year-old big man, but Horford had racked up four All-Star appearances over his career and, in signing with the 76ers, was no longer a member of the rivaling Boston Celtics.
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However, things went downhill quickly for Horford, and the 76ers as No. 42’s fit in the lineup proved questionable throughout the season. Next to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, Horford created a spacing issue that consistently plagued the team from game to game so drastically that the 33-year-old got benched in favor of Furkan Korkmaz late in the season.
Due to his controversial fit in the lineup, the Sixers will likely look to move Horford this offseason, even if they have a difficult time doing so. In his first year with Philadelphia, Horford averaged 12.0 points, his lowest since his second NBA season, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, rather lackluster numbers compared to his past few seasons.
Tie that in with his hefty contract over the next few seasons, and the Philadelphia 76ers have a genuine problem in their hands. The team may have to attach a first-round draft pick even to get the ball rolling on any deal with Horford, a desperate move they might have to make for the greater good.
Still, even with his costly contract, Horford is a great player, he just needs to be surrounded by the proper pieces. He could thrive in another system on several teams in the league, but not alongside Embiid and Simmons. For his massive contract and down season, the 76ers may have a hard time trading Horford, but his name will absolutely be out there.