Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix created quite a stir when he appeared on NBC Sports Boston’s Early Edition. On the show, he offered the possibility of a reunion between the Boston Celtics and Al Horford.
Horford signed a four-year max deal in the summer of 2016. As a draw at the time to try and woo Kevin Durant to Boston–in a recruitment effort that also included Isaiah Thomas and Tom Brady–Horford brought with him a history of success leading the Atlanta Hawks to regular-season success.
He never could get past LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, though, losing two years in a row before losing to Giannis Antetokounmpo in his final season with the Cs before bolting for the City of Brotherly Love.
That Philly stint didn’t work out, but as Mannix points out, his value has been rehabilitated in Oklahoma City:
"“It’s no surprise to me that Al Horford goes to Oklahoma City, which has a history of putting players like Horford in good positions, and he has turned into something more resembling the Al Horford we saw for many years in Boston…”"
Now, negotiations did break down with the Boston Celtics before he turned around and agreed to a deal with a division rival. Granted, the Cs didn’t want Horford at such a gaudy number (four years, $109 million) after signing him to an identical deal when he was three years younger…and he arguably didn’t live up to the contract value the first time.
But, Mannix sees the two sides being able to coexist again:
"“I understand there were some raw dealings when Al Horford left. Not just that he left, but that he went to a chief rival in Philadelphia. But if you can let bygones be bygones, I think Al Horford could make a difference on this team.”"
With that said, is it wise to trade for Horford at this point?
Let’s look into the pros and cons…