Atlanta Hawks Rumors: Rockets targeting Horford?
Rumor has it the Houston Rockets are interested in Atlanta Hawks’ top free agent, Al Horford. While there had been rumors circulating during the regular season about the Boston Celtics interest in Horford, the latest speculation involves the Houston Rockets.
Horford will be one of the league’s top free agents this offseason, and the Rockets will be looking to fill the need of starting center after Dwight Howard is not expected to return to the Rockets for the 2016-17 season.
The Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets are currently dealing with the tale of two centers. The Hawks are in need of a superstar player, who could potentially be the Rocket’s Dwight Howard.
On the other hand, the Rockets will be in need of a starting center since Howard is most likely going to decline his 2016-17 player option with Houston.
The Houston Rockets have allegedly referred to Horford as their “top free agent target.”
Horford was drafted in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, and has remained in Atlanta for his entire nine-season career.
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In his nine seasons with the Hawks, Horford has averaged 14.3 points per game, 8.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 2.7 assists.
In the 2015-16 season he averaged 15.2 points per game, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
Just after the Hawks playoff run ended on May 8 with another year of being swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Horford expressed no interest in leaving the Hawks due to his love for the team and the city.
Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer also showed no interest in losing Horford, and even expressed plans to re-sign him.
Horford, who turns 30 in June, is an unrestricted free agent this summer. He is sure to receive big offers that could potentially entice him away from the Hawks.
Next: Atlanta Hawks: Is Dwight Howard the solution?
Oddly enough, the Atlanta Hawks have both previously and recently expressed interest in Dwight Howard. Could the Hawks and Rockets have potential trade deal involving Horford and Howard?
If you ask Horford, he’s supposedly “not thinking about free agency” right now. Alright, Al. It looks like only time and money will tell.