The Oklahoma City Thunder took advantage of the Philadelphia 76ers’ desire to dump Al Horford’s contract just one year after signing him. It allowed OKC to take on the best player and get a first-round draft pick. The Thunder wisely rebuilt Horford’s value and traded him to the Celtics for additional draft capital. Philly unquestionably got fleeced and just had to give up the 17th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to finalize this trade from 2020.
The Sixers created their own headache. They signed Horford to a four-year contract worth $109 million in 2019 to pair with Joel Embiid, but it didn’t work. Horford’s production dipped, and Philly even brought him off the bench to start the bubble to see if that worked. This was just a problematic fit, and it forced the 76ers to give up a first-round draft pick to dump his contract.
Consider this a genius move for OKC. Horford has played in the playoffs 16 times in his 19 NBA season. Even at 33 years old, he could stretch the floor, protect the rim, and guard multiple positions. He helped the Celtics win a championship in 2024. The Sixers just weren’t using Horford properly and allowed the Thunder to take full advantage in this 2020 trade.
The Thunder fleeced the 76ers in the Al Horford trade
The Sixers got two seasons of production from Danny Green in this trade. The 6'6 wing started 20 playoff games and helped Philadelphia reach the second round twice. Giving up the 34th pick in 2020, the draft rights to Vasilije Micic, and a protected first is a hefty price to pay to dump a veteran’s contract.
Fans can see the full details of the now finalized Al Horford trade below.
Thunder get: Al Horford, Theo Maledon, Vasilije Micić, and Ebuka Okorie
76ers received: Danny Green, Terrance Ferguson, Vincent Poirier.
In true Sam Presti fashion, he traded up for 17th to 16th to get Bennett Stirtz. It cost OKC two additional second round picks to move up one spot, according to Shams Charania. The Thunder wanted his Stirtz's shooting and couldn't risk someone else making a deal with the Grizzlies. Memphis traded the 17th pick to Detroit just minutes later.
The Horford deal would be like trading Chet Holmgren after his playoff struggles. OKC never panics. The Sixers were swept by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, but they needed to find a way to make the big man partnership work or move on. Philly foolishly broke up the duo after one year, and the Thunder benefited.
Sam Presti has no desire to trade Holmgren or Jalen Williams after their struggles. Both players are just starting max contracts, but that is what the Thunder signed up for. Injuries and ineffectiveness are part of the NBA. The playoffs are a small sample and can produce unexpected results. There is no way the best GM in the NBA would have panicked and traded Horford after just one year as the 76ers did.
Presti benefited multiple times from Philadelphia’s incompetence. OKC won just 22 games in Horford’s lone season with the franchise. It got Josh Giddey on their roster after the Thunder slid from fourth to sixth in the lottery. Presti eventually flipped Giddey into Alex Caruso, and he got a 2021 first-round draft pick in the deal that sent Horford to Boston.
The Oklahoma City Thunder fleeced the Philadelphia 76ers in the Al Horford after the last piece was finalized with Ebuka Okorie being taken 17th overall. Presti bet on the big man’s talent after a down season and was rewarded handsomely. Thunder fans aren’t the least bit surprised. That is what Presti does.
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