Al Horford and Kevin Durant (Photo : Getty Images)
Al Horford could opt to join the OKC Thunder in July if Kevin Durant stays in Oklahoma City.
Durant could bolt out of Oklahoma City this summer to join another team that has a better shot at winning championship. But if the Thunder gets a significant result in this year's playoffs, perhaps another NBA Finals appearance or a championship banner, Durant would surely stay in OKC, which could be a factor to lure Horford, according to Maxwell Ogden of Hoops Habit.
"If Durant is returning, it would behoove Al Horford to explore a sign-and-trade to the Thunder," Ogden wrote.
Ogden claimed that the Atlanta Hawks not wanting to part ways with Horford could make such an "intriguing possibility" to see two of the league's top stars playing together in Oklahoma City. If Horford considers playing for his college coach Billy Donovan and the Thunder's superstar duo of Durant and Russell Westbrook, a sign-and-trade involving Enes Kanter should work, according to Ogden.
"If Atlanta believes it can maximize the potential of center Enes Kanter, swapping Horford for Kanter-who's due $17,145,838 in 2016-17-could push Oklahoma City over the edge," Ogden added.
Horford, an unrestricted free agent, is expected to have plenty of suitors following a remarkable season that saw the All-Star center average 15.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. While Horford, who would likely command a max-contract in free agency, admitted he would like to remain with the Atlanta Hawks, the team has plenty of things to address, including retaining their own free agents and signing key players to bolster their lineup.
The Hawks have a projected maximum salary cap space of $34.6 million, but it may only be suffice for Horford's max deal and keeping Kent Bazemore for another two of three years. If there is no guarantee the Hawks could retain Horford, a sign-and-trade for a young talent like Kanter seems a viable alternative for Atlanta.
As for Durant, he has always been adamant of joining a contender, but if the Thunder could acquire a skilled big man like Horford, there is no doubt the two-time scoring champion would likely consider another run in OKC.
It is still undetermined whether Horford has a genuine interest in joining the Thunder, but it would not be surprising if the 29-year-old big man consider OKC as his preferred destination in the offseason.
