NBA Rumors: Al Horford Leaving Atlanta Hawks For Boston Celtics


NBA rumors have started swirling around Al Horford. The 29-year-old center is set to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming summer. Horford will be one of the most sought out players in free agency. Several teams in the National Basketball Association will be looking to add a player like Horford to their team. According to FanSided, one of those teams will be the Boston Celtics. With the salary cap rising to around $92 million this year, the Celtics will have more than enough money to sign the former Florida Gators star.

Al Horford was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the third pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. He has spent his entire career with the Hawks. Horford was a starter as a rookie and he has become the heart and soul of the team. He has helped lead Atlanta to the NBA Playoffs eight times in his nine years. This season, Horford averaged 15.2 points, 3.2 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in 32 minutes. He is a very durable player. Horford played in all 82 games. He is one of the best big men in the National Basketball Association.

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge
Danny Ainge [Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images]
This will be a crucial summer for the Atlanta Hawks. They’re going to have to make some big decisions. Hawks management will have to decide if they are willing to pay Al Horford the maximum contract. Atlanta might be looking to implode their roster, so the All Star might be looking for a new team to play for.

The Boston Celtics are in need of another All Star player and a big man. Al Horford fits the bill. He has been a very consistent offensive-defensive presences for the Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics were lacking offensive consistency from their big men all season. Horford is a very versatile big man who can guard both the power forward and center. He can help the Celtics spread the floor with his ability to hit from beyond the arc. Boston signing the All Star could help them become a serious contender in the NBA.

Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens
Brad Stevens [Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images]
It was no secret that Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge was trying to acquire Al Horford from the Atlanta Hawks earlier in the season. Even though the Hawks were interested in trading the All Star, they ultimately decided to keep their core group together until the end of the year. Ainge will be attempting to acquire Horford again. This time, it will be via free agency. Ainge will have to convince Horford that joining the Celtics will help him win an NBA Championship.

The Boston Celtics will have enough money to sign two players to maximum contracts this summer. Boston has shown they are capable of making it to the NBA Playoffs without a superstar under head coach Brad Stevens. If they manage to sign Al Horford from the Atlanta Hawks, that would make the Celtics a very attractive place to be. Bringing Horford could help garner the attention of superstar Kevin Durant. It would show Durant that the Celtics are doing whatever they can to bring another championship to the city.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant [Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images]
There will be plenty of teams going after Al Horford this upcoming summer. He is listed as the best power forward available in free agency. Horford is a player who can thrive at both the four and five positions. He could stay with the Atlanta Hawks. That way he can get more money and an extra year on his contract.

The Boston Celtics are in need of a big man who can help the team become a contender for the NBA Championship. Al Horford is one of the best front court players currently in the National Basketball Association. The Celtics showed a lot of interest in him earlier in the season. With him being available this summer, they will be pursuing him to join their team.

[Photo by Kevin C Cox/Getty Images]

Share this article: NBA Rumors: Al Horford Leaving Atlanta Hawks For Boston Celtics
More from Inquisitr