The AL Horford Dilemma

[PandaKidd]

Hold the phone on the 5th year talks. We dont know that. Most credible people ive seen are reporting they offered Al the 5th year max, hes taking his time. This wasnt going to be a thing overnight.

[Jamaaliver]

Longtime AJC writer Jeff Schultz predicts serious consequences should we let AL leave:

Losing Horford would mean Hawks’ return to irrelevance


Understand this: If Horford goes away, say hello to Hawks’ irrelevance again. [T]he team has no realistic chance of acquiring significant assets to make up for his loss, certainly not in the short term. Equally important, giving the four-time All-Star a contract at or near the maximum allowed will not hamstring their payroll.

If the Hawks don’t re-sign Horford in free agency, they will be looking at a core without Horford next season and potentially without Paul Millsap after next year (when Millsap can opt out).

If you believe the Hawks are a perennial afterthought for high-profile free agents now, how desirable a destination would they become for the free agent class of 2017 without Horford or Millsap?

Horford’s re-signing alone doesn’t ensure success next season, but his loss almost certainly would ensure a slide.

[And] Horford has significant value to the Hawks and his market value is high. The salary cap is going up and exceptional, low-maintenance players like Horford are in short supply.

Here

[MaceCase]

And Kanter is a rich man's Marreese Speights.

Kanter is a vastly superior player compared to Speights.

Not really. He sucks on defense even worse than Speights. At least Speights shoots threes and a solid clip. There are a bunch of players like Kanter that no one wants like Greg Monroe, Al Jefferson and there are players with better potential like Okafor who we didn't want much less someone like Kanter who is a terrible contract for us or any team who has to rely on his as a starter.

Yeah, I meant in terms of him being best suited as a scoring big off the bench. Jefferson just got 3 years 30 mil, then the Bucks and Sixers are said to be shopping Monroe and Okafor who are all cheaper. That's his true market.

[HMFFL]

Our front office is looking bad right now.
We contact Al Horford and yet never offer him anything. He clearly wants the 5th year and we continue to stall.
I hope our communication with him has been on track and the two parties have a mutual agreement to wait things out for the time being to see what moves we can make to better our team. Otherwise, I have to believe Horford is going to grow old of the situation, unless he already has decided to leave, and is waiting for us to work a S&T.

[Pillendreher]

Kanter is a vastly superior player compared to Speights.

Not really. He sucks on defense even worse than Speights. At least Speights shoots threes and a solid clip. There are a bunch of players like Kanter that no one wants like Greg Monroe, Al Jefferson and there are players with better potential like Okafor who we didn't want much less someone like Kanter who is a terrible contract for us or any team who has to rely on his as a starter.

Yeah, I meant in terms of him being best suited as a scoring big off the bench. Jefferson just got 3 years 30 mil, then the Bucks and Sixers are said to be shopping Monroe and Okafor who are all cheaper. That's his true market.

Yes I agree he fits nicely as a 6th man. But I still stand by my initial statement: If I'm a GM, I'd rather take Kanter for a testdrive instead of paying the same amount to some 30 year old washed up Centers.

[HMFFL]

Alex Kennedy: The Boston Celtics are traveling to Atlanta to meet with Al Horford tonight, per sources. Isaiah Thomas and others will be there to pitch.
– via Twitter AlexKennedyNBA

[Hawk Eye]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/749014173003214848[/tweet]

[LeMasta]

As much as I hate to see Horford go, change is exciting.

[td00]

If we want Al to go anywhere, its OKC. They have useful assets. We only see AL twice / year.

[ATL Boy]

If we don't re-sign him, I wouldn't mind an S&T to Houston for Ariza + pieces. Gives us our SF, who's on a reasonable deal compared to what FA wings are getting.

[Hawk Eye]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/749079125214765056[/tweet]

Splitter would have to be gone for sure. We can also un-guarantee Scott's contract. Who else though?

[Nyce_1]

what's the deal with Splitter and his injury? I wouldn't mind him on the Magic, especially since he expires, if the injury issues aren't bad/serious.

[MaceCase]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/749079125214765056[/tweet]

Splitter would have to be gone for sure. We can also un-guarantee Scott's contract. Who else though?

[tweet]https://twitter.com/AlbertRandom1/status/749080582785728512[/tweet]

basically good with any combo of Split, Thabo, Hardaway, etc.

[MaceCase]

what's the deal with Splitter and his injury? I wouldn't mind him on the Magic, especially since he expires, if the injury issues aren't bad/serious.

Had a hip injury in November, tried to play through it before opting for surgery at the end of February. Original time table claimed 8 months but there was a rumor floating that he felt far enough ahead of schedule that he was considering an appearance with his national team at the Rio Olympics.

[Hawk Eye]

We might be thinking about dumping Millsap...

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/749082635226329088[/tweet]

[HMFFL]

If we don't re-sign him, I wouldn't mind an S&T to Houston for Ariza + pieces. Gives us our SF, who's on a reasonable deal compared to what FA wings are getting.

I've always like Ariza.
When he's playing with a good contender and the vibe is good between teammates he has a killer instinct. He can be so productive and valuable during the playoffs.

His contract is fantastic value:
2016/17 $7,800,000
2017/18 $7,400,000

At 31 years old, he realizes he'll need to be productive over the next two seasons, if he plans on having a big payday once he becomes a free agent. I believe he'd be an outstanding addition to our team but sadly I expect more for Horford (greedy).

[HMFFL]

If not Al Horford this season, Paul Millsap will receive or want a max contract, so we must decide which one we want to give it to the most. I'd prefer to retain Al Horford and keep Paul Millsap. Our team would be extremely solid and the best we've had for many years.
However, I realize that's probably wishful thinking on my part, but we shall see what happens.

[HMFFL]

Memo to managment.
If you keep Horford and Millsap the majority of Atlanta fans and outsiders will begin to take you serious.
It sheds the bad from the past. The poor ownership group that was the Atlanta Spirit Group and honestly makes me feel better about the day I cried when we traded Dominique Wilkins.

[ATL Boy]

If we don't re-sign him, I wouldn't mind an S&T to Houston for Ariza + pieces. Gives us our SF, who's on a reasonable deal compared to what FA wings are getting.

I've always like Ariza.
When he's playing with a good contender and the vibe is good between teammates he has a killer instinct. He can be so productive and valuable during the playoffs.

His contract is fantastic value:
2016/17 $7,800,000
2017/18 $7,400,000

At 31 years old, he realizes he'll need to be productive over the next two seasons, if he plans on having a big payday once he becomes a free agent. I believe he'd be an outstanding addition to our team but sadly I expect more for Horford (greedy).

Ariza is absolutely not sufficient value for Al. But in an S&T we're just not gonna get even half the value we want for Al. An Ariza+Capela or Ariza+future pick is the best I think we'd be able to do.


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[HMFFL]

What about a S&T with Golden State?
If Kevin Durant passes on Golden State (suppose to decide before July 4th).
That leaves Horford being an option if he decides to wait for Durant's decision. I believe Horford is a perfect piece for Golden State.