According to rumors that surfaced just over a week ago, the Hawks seem to be willing to move their longest tenured player and leader Al Horford if the right deal presents itself.
Report: Hawks will at least listen to trade offers for Al Horfordhttps://t.co/RpD3EoUjs6 pic.twitter.com/G3MkZxehng
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) February 2, 2016
According to other reports, the Celtics have been aggressive in pursuing Horford and have inquired about point guard Jeff Teague as well.
Report: Celtics Inquired About Hawks’ Al Horford, Jeff Teague As Trade Targets | https://t.co/zetW4JMmTuhttps://t.co/gSWq0BnEIZ
— Boston Sports News (@BostonSprtsNews) January 31, 2016
The Hawks front office believes it won’t recapture the magic of the previous season and with their status as a semi-contender, dealing Horford before losing him or having to pay him a massive deal this summer may be the way to go as crazy as that sounds.
Reports suggest that the Celics, Magic and Nuggets are aggressively pursuing Horford.
Here is a trade that could work for each team to acquire the former all-star:
Boston:
Crowder can be the kind of asset and weapon on both ends that is missing with DeMarre Carroll this season and Kelly Olynk is a talented, stretch four of five that will work wonderfully with the Hawks pace and space offense. Amir Johnson makes the money work and with his length and fluidity can bring back some of the rim and paint protection you lose by dealing Horford. The Celtics can throw in a future pick too.
Orlando:
Oladipo would crowd the backcourt a little but and make a Teague trade a little more likely, but getting a younger, cheaper potential all-star who is a great tow-way player and a veteran with a rare skillset as a knockdown three point shooter at 6’11”, this deal would be great for Atlanta and help the Magic speed up their progression as well.
Denver:
The Hawks would potentially prefer Gallanari, but getting two high-energy hustle players and a young Swiss army knife in Jokic would be a nice return for dealing a star like Horford if ythe Hawks choose to pursue that route.
I think it is still highly unlikely Horford is dealt, but if he is, these are some potential deals that could work.
