Boston Celtics: 2 realistic trade destinations for Al Horford

Boston Celtics trade partner No. 2) Sacramento Kings

Similar to the Houston Rockets, we believe the Sacramento Kings could be a potential trade destination for Al Horford, largely due to the fact that they have a high-priced player signed on for a few years longer than the big man who the Boston Celtics may be interested in pursuing at some point between now and the deadline.

That player: Buddy Hield.

Despite being under contract through 2024, it’s the worst-kept secret that the Kings are looking to part ways with their spark-plug wing, as they already came into the year having reportedly offered him up in a deal to the Los Angeles Lakers that nearly came to pass and, just recently, it was reported that the 29-year-old is once again available.

With Boston already being viewed as an intriguing landing spot for Hield, coupled with the fact that they find themselves continuing to plummet in the standings with wildly inconsistent play, we feel as though a shake-up such as this could actually be one that winds up being strongly considered by Stevens.

Currently in his sixth year in the association, the fiery scoring guard is posting sound per-game averages of 15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and two assists on 38 percent shooting from deep whilst predominantly coming off the pine for the Kings which, by all accounts, is exactly the kind of production this C’s second unit that ranks 28th in the league in points, 22nd in field goal percentage, and dead last in offensive rating could use.

For Sacramento, swapping out Hield’s $39 million still owed to him over the next two full seasons for Horford’s remaining 2022 salary and his only partially-guaranteed pay-day next season along with other assets (Aaron Nesmith, Romeo Langford, perhaps a heavily-protected draft pick, etc.) could ultimately prove to be worth it in the long run, especially if they’re just hell-bent on getting rid of his contract and, in turn, clearing up cap space for the future.