OKC Thunder: “Pass or Pursue” on 5 proposed trade ideas
By Mark Nilon
OKC Thunder trade No. 3) Al Horford heads back to Boston
In this next proposed deal, we stay with the struggling Celtics as we see Al Horford heading back to Boston to once again don the green and white threads.
Serving as the team’s starting center from 2016 to 2019, Horford found some of his best days in Beantown, as he posted 13.5 points, seven boards, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game on 50 percent shooting from the floor and 38 percent shooting from deep throughout his tenure.
Since leaving, however, the team has struggled to fill the 6-9 hole Horford left behind and has yet to find a suitable replacement at the pivot.
Favale believes they could consider reuniting with their former All-Star big man this season for, according to him, the Cs might find themselves in desperation mode come the deadline:
"The two years and $53.5 million he’s owed after this season ($39.5 million guaranteed) threatens to break the bank, but he remains an impactful floor-spacer, playmaker and defensive presence in the middle. The Celtics might be desperate enough to initiate a reunion. He isn’t exactly what they need, but they could use him. He is a far more dynamic offensive option than Tristan Thompson and the better body to throw at Giannis Antetokounmpo in a potential playoff series."
In turn, the Thunder, once again, find themselves in a position to bring on yet another first-round pick that could be used to either bring on a player via the draft or perhaps attach it to another deal they wish to make in the future.
Like we’ve been saying, this team is in rebuild mode and, in turn, is building towards something big down the road.
In this type of situation, adding on draft capital is always something to strive for.