As the Oklahoma City Thunder target younger players in the night rotation, five-star All-Star center Al Horford will stop being active during games this season, sources told ESPN.
Horford, 34, plans to stay with his Oklahoma City teammates and train at the team’s facilities, but will not play the last 28 games for the Thunder, sources said .
Since arriving from Philadelphia on a night trade draft, Horford has been considered a significant presence and influence on the Thunder’s young rebuilding list, and the organization was anxious for Horford to stay with them while the two sides worked in that decision, the sources said.
After the season, Horford will have two years left and a $ 53 million contract. Thunder CEO Sam Presti has pledged to work with Horford and his agent, Jason Glushon, to find the center a trade for a team that best fits this final stage of his career.
Sitting protects Horford from injuries that could complicate his ability to move in the off-season. Horford has averaged 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season. After joining the 76ers in a four-year, $ 109 million free agent deal in 2019, Horford was traded to the Thunder on draft night in 2020.
Recently, the Thunder lost star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for an extended period with plantar fasciitis. It was inevitable that Horford would end up closing this season, but the loss of Gilgeous-Alexander accelerated that timeline, sources said.
The Thunder could have three first-round picks in the 2021 NBA draft, based on a series of protection and exchange scenarios. The Thunder have been surprisingly competitive with such a young and incomplete roster, currently tied with the New Orleans Pelicans between 19 and 25.
Oklahoma City has 17 first-round picks and 17 second-round picks under control through the 2027 NBA draft.
This is the 14th season of the NBA in Horford, which includes stops with Atlanta, Boston and Philadelphia. He has averaged 13.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his career and has twice been a selection for the defensive team.