Celtics Trade Rumors: Deal For Al Horford Has Atlanta Hawks Asking Too Much Of Boston Celtics


Celtics trade rumors indicate a concerted effort from Boston to acquire Al Horford. These Boston Celtics trade rumors also reveal that the Atlanta Hawks may be asking for too much in return for the All-Star center. A report from Comcast Sportsnet states that the asking price for Al Horford and Jeff Teague is “borderline ridiculous.”

For a while now, NBA trade rumors have linked the Boston Celtics to Al Horford. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Celtics president Danny Ainge sees Horford as a good fit on the roster. Ainge has also reportedly been “excited” about the prospect of adding an All-Star player before the NBA trade deadline hits. Now, though, the Celtics may have hit a big roadblock in negotiations with the Atlanta Hawks.

Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Mannix was quoted in the article, further stating that things could still shift before the NBA trade deadline on February 18. Currently, though, the Hawks seem to be asking a lot of the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Milwaukee Bucks when it comes to the negotiations.

“From everything I’ve been told in the last two or three days, Atlanta’s requests for both Al Horford and Jeff Teague have been borderline ridiculous. The kind of things teams like Boston, or Milwaukee, or Denver simply won’t deal for the players they want. Things like this tend to cool off though. As we get close to the deadline – when we get to the 17th, when we get to the 18th – that’s when the real horse trading begins. That’s when Danny Ainge will know if Atlanta is really serious about trading Al Horford.”

Isaiah Thomas With Celtics
[Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images]

This isn’t a surprising development in the current Boston Celtics trade rumors, as Danny Ainge has quite a few assets to work with. Some of those assets include the 2016 first-round pick of the Brooklyn Nets, the 2016 first-round pick of the Dallas Mavericks, and three second-round picks in the 2016 NBA Draft. That is in addition to their two picks, bringing the total to seven potential selections that the Celtics could have in 2016. This is in addition to the picks that the Celtics already possess for the next few years.

It doesn’t end there, either, as the Celtics also control the 2016 first-round pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it is lottery protected. This means that if the Wolves miss the playoffs, the Wolves retains its pick and the Celtics get a second-round selection from Minnesota. This would bring the total to eight selections the Celtics will have in the 2016 NBA Draft. Ainge and the Celtics also control the 2018 first-round pick of the Brooklyn Nets and the 2019 first-round pick of the Memphis Grizzlies.

What has become very clear in most of the recent Boston Celtics trade rumors is that the team is ready to make a deal. Danny Ainge feels that his roster is good enough to already compete in the 2016 NBA Playoffs, but it seems to be a player or two away from being true contenders. The ultimate goal is to take down the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, and that might become achievable if the team can add several good players before the NBA trade deadline. The key is not giving up too much in the process.

Jae Crowder Against Nuggets
[Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images]

While it seemed like a deal between the Celtics and Atlanta Hawks was very close to taking place, fans will have to wait just a little longer to find out whether it could really happen. The Hawks are still in contention in the East as well but could lose Al Horford in free agency. This is why the team is shopping him before February 18 rolls around. If the Hawks become very serious about moving him, these Boston Celtics trade rumors could finally lead to a deal taking place.

[Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images]

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