OKC Thunder: “Pass or Pursue” on 2 recently proposed Al Horford trades

After enduring a grueling 72 game regular season slate, the OKC Thunder now head into the 2021 NBA offseason where the real fun can finally begin.

Their 2020-21 campaign turned out to be the worst (record-wise) in their entire 13-year existence, as they finished with the fourth-worst record in the association at 22-50. In turn, Oklahoma City missed out on the playoffs for the first time in five years and for just the second time in their franchise’s history.

With all this, as odd as it may sound, it would appear things are simply going according to plan.

The tank is on everyone’s mind in the Sooner State, and the objective is to try and build toward a better future by means of cultivating as many youthful talents as possible.

Of course, what this means is the veterans currently found on the roster are likely not long for Oklahoma City, thus making this offseason one that could see a few personnel departures.

Perhaps the biggest name likely to be moved this summer is 34-year-old big man Al Horford, who was acquired prior to the start of the season in the Danny Green deal to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Viewed as a mere salary dump for the Sixers, the OKC Thunder brought on the veteran in an effort to attain a few youthful pieces (including the rights to Theo Maledon) and a future first-round pick.

What ended up happening, however, was Horford seemingly had somewhat of a resurgence season with the franchise, posting averages of 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game on 45 percent shooting from the floor and 37 percent shooting from deep.

With this, the center managed to increase his value as a player and, in turn, it will wind up being tested this offseason as the two parties have mutually and respectfully agreed that a parting of ways will likely be in their best interest.

Because of this, we at TI have gone about and discussed the concept of potential destinations for Horford, and even came up with a few optimal landing spots along the way.

Of course, we are most certainly not alone in these entertaining activities and, recently, Bleacher Report came up with a couple of specific trade packages involving Horford heading to the San Antonio Spurs, a place they believe to be the ideal spot for the vet.

With this, we at TI got eager to put out another installment of one of our favorite series we like to call “Pass or Purse”, where we discuss concocted trades and determine whether it would be wise for the franchise to execute them or if they should simply stand pat.

Today, we discuss 2 in which writer Gregg Swartz has recently come up with: