Hawks Al Horford A Cavs Dream Trade Target
The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Al Horford led Atlanta Hawks tonight at 7:30. The Cavs have put together a roster that many would be jealous of, but have not come together as many would hope. that has led to conversations about possible trade targets for the Cavs. Talks have included Larry Sanders, Roy Hibbert, John Henson and even Rajon Rondo.
However tonight’s opponent may have the dream trade target for the Cavaliers: Al Horford.
Horford is coming back from a severe injury last season but is an All-Star level power forward/center. The Cavs would love to add a center long term, especially one with some size and shot blocking. Lets take a look at all the components of a possible Horford trade for the Cavs:
Fit
I have wrote about Horford’s fit with the Cavs for Fansided’s Local Cleveland Site, Factory of Sadness, this past off-season after the team signed LeBron James:
"In Blatt’s offense Horford would provide enough spacing, passing and solid screen setting to be a deadly weapon and perfect fit with Irving, Wiggins and James."
Obviously this was before the Cavs traded Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love. The fit is still good, and actually even better with Love on the roster. This season Horford has a solid stat line of almost 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 2.8 assists per game. He is capable of doing a little of everything.
He doesn’t however provide an overwhelming amount of shot blocking, a skill sorely lacking currently on the Cavs, with 1.5 blocks per game last season as his highest. He makes up for some of that with his size, athleticism and basketball IQ. Still he won’t block a lot of shots when added to a defense that currently allows a ton of dribble penetration.
Horford’s contract is actually attractive in one way and not as much in another. He has one more season, after this one, for $12 million. That is a small amount for a player of this caliber. On the other hand he is able to be a free agent after next season which could give the Cavs pause.
Why Would the Hawks Trade Horford
Besides Danny Ferry making a poor decision that helps out his former two time employer, as a player and executive, like Kevin McHale did for the Boston Celtics in the Kevin Garnett trade, there are a couple other possible reasons. Horford will be a free agent and with his health history the Hawks may not want to invest in him. The Hawks will also have to make a decision about Paul Milsap at the end of this season. Milsap leads the Hawks in Points, Rebounds and Steals. The Hawks could decide to build around Milsap and Jeff Teague instead of Horford.
On the other hand the Hawks do not have another center on their roster of note if they deal Horford. They also could put Horford up for bid and likely get a big package from a number of teams. Whether the Cavs can win that bidding war would be interesting.
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What a Trade Could Look Like
The Cavs have a limited amount of resources that they can move. The best players that they could trade are Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson. Waiters could be moved to another team who may be willing to give up a protected 1st round pick. Thompson will be a restricted free agent if the trade is not made until after the season, which could cause issues a trade then. If it is after the season Brendan Haywood‘s unguarenteed contract could be a part of the trade.
The Cavs would also look to add the pick they have acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies, and if after the draft also their own 2015 first rounder, to try to make it worth the Hawks moving Horford. Waiters could be a scoring guard next to Teague while Thompson can play some center and provide the scrappy, rebounding, defending big man all teams need. The Grizzlies pick is protected but could be a decent pick in the next few drafts. The Cavs 2015 pick will be very low most likely.
For the Hawks they have to decide if one or two draft picks along with adding possible starters who will need new contracts soon in Waiters and Thompson, is worth their All Star center. They likely would decide it is not but then again we never expected the Pau Gasol trade either.
Horford is a dream trade target and like most dreams he is unlikely to come true.
How high is Al Horford on your list of Cavs trade targets?