Philadelphia 76ers: Preview of realistic Al Horford trade scenarios

Dallas Mavericks

Secondly, the Dallas Mavericks could emerge as a potential suitor for Al Horford.

• 76ers acquire Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber
• Mavericks receive Al Horford, 2020 second-round pick

The addition of Hardaway Jr. would be a better fit in Philly than Horford with his shooting abilities and movement off the ball and would allow Tobias Harris to start and play more at the power forward position, which I believe is the best spot for him.

Hardaway Jr. is currently averaging 15.8 points on 43.7 percent shooting and 40.7 percent from 3-point territory. He could identify as a solid contributor in Brett Brown’s offense, similar to how JJ Redick was used when he was with the Sixers.

Kleber could serve as a role player for Philly when Embiid is off the court. He’s been an important figure for Dallas this season averaging 9.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on 45.9 percent shooting and 37.4 percent from 3.

However, this deal could take some convincing for Dallas. The Mavericks will have to decide if the value of Horford is worth sacrificing two productive players that they generally like and fit well within their own roster.

They were reportedly searching for a center in February before the trade deadline closed and ended up acquiring Willie Cauley-Stein from the Golden State Warriors, but a player of his caliber isn’t the long-term answer.

Al Horford is much more valuable than him as well as the other centers within their roster that include Kleber and Boban Marjanovic. I also believe Horford’s veteran defensive abilities and strong physical presence as a center would complement the Mavericks’ exciting tandem of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis on both ends of the floor.

He would help increase their hopes of inching closer toward a title contender moving forward.

Dallas could value a better starting center and a boost defensively, so those are the only reasons I could see them trading with Philly for Al Horford.