OKC Thunder shut down Al Horford for season, waive Austin Rivers

With the trade deadline in the books, the OKC Thunder completed one trade sending George Hill to the Philadelphia 76ers. Three teams participated in the deal with the 76ers sending big man Tony Bradley to OKC. The Knicks sent Austin Rivers to the Thunder.

While Bradley will join the Thunder, Rivers will be bought out and waived. The veteran combo guard is ‘leaning heavily’ toward joining the Milwaukee Bucks as per Shams Charania.

Rivers fell out of favor in Tom Thibodeau’s system and with the addition of Derrick Rose became expendable. The eight-year vet appeared in 21 games for the Knicks averaging 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. His shooting splits were 43.4 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from the perimeter on 3.7 attempts, and 71.4. percent from the charity stripe.

OKC Thunder shut down Al Horford for the season:

The other big news out of Oklahoma City is the decision to shut down Al Horford for the remainder of the season. Prior to the match Saturday, head coach Mark Daigneault spoke about the decision.

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander expected to miss significant time due to plantar fasciitis, the team is going to give many of the young players more minutes. That includes two-way contracted player Moses Brown who has reveled in his varsity assignments.

On Saturday, Brown added his name to the franchise record books with two rebounding markers. He matched an OKC Thunder franchise rebounding record set by Steven Adams, pulling down 23 boards and set his own record for rebounds in a half (19).

Brown also posted his career-high point tally of 21 points. With Tony Bradley set to join the team, the franchise wants to give him consistent playing time to ascertain what they have in the youngster.

Horford spoke about the mutual decision to have him sit the remainder of the season:

"“When I arrived, I understood the direction of the team, we had a great individual plan in place for me, and I feel like as a result I’ve played really good basketball for the Thunder. At the same time, I know what it’s like to be a young, aspiring player, and at this point in the season I understand how important playing meaningful minutes is for their careers and their development.”"

VP Sam Presti and head coach Mark Daigneault were both full of praise for Horford and his mentorship with the youngsters; a role he’ll continue to perform at practices and home games.

"“Al enhanced the development of the team. He’s done unbelievable work this year — not only as a player for himself, but the investments he’s made in our environment and in our younger players have just been incredible” – Daigneault"

A new dynamic this season is teams who are sitting healthy players for extended periods like the Cavaliers did with Andre Drummond. When Cleveland was unable to find a trade partner they bought out Drummond’s contract and he’s expected to join the Lakers when he clears waivers.

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Horford still has two years remaining on his contract so that’s not an option, however, as per Adrian Wojnarowski, Sam Presti will try to find a trade partner this offseason with a team intent on contending. The center is owed $27 million in 2021-22 and $26.5 million in the 2022-23 season.

This seems to be a new normal with teams. Recalling two years ago, the Pelicans for example weren’t allowed to sit Anthony Davis when the mutual decision was made to part ways. Fast forward to this season and it’s now an acceptable pathway forward.

If Presti doesn’t find a trade partner this offseason, presumably Horford would return next season and the team would try to move him again at the trade deadline. In the interim, he’ll provide value as a mentor to the young big men on the squad.