As the Oklahoma City Thunder turn to younger players in the night rotation, the five-time All-Star pivot at Horford will no longer be active for the 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 in the last 28 games for the Thunder, sources said.
Since arriving from the Philadelphia 76ers in a draft exchange, Horford has been considered a significant presence and influence on the Thunder’s young and rebuilding roster, and the organization was eager for Horford to remain among them while the two parties were working on that decision, sources said.
After the season, Horford will have two years and $ 53 million remaining on his contract. Thunder general manager Sam Presti has pledged to work with Horford and his agent, Jason Glushon, to find at the center an exchange with a team that fits better in this final stage of his career.
Not participating protects Horford from an injury that could complicate the possibility of moving him in the low season. Horford has averaged 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season. After joining the 76ers on a free agent contract for four years and $ 109 million in 2019, Horford was traded to the Thunder on the night of the 2020 draft in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder recently lost to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Star Base for an extended period of time with plantar fasciitis. It was inevitable that Horford would finally close 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, according to a series of protection and selection change scenarios. The Thunder have been surprisingly competitive with such a young and incomplete roster, currently tied with the New Orleans Pelicans at 19-25.
Oklahoma City has 17 first-team picks and 17 second-round picks under control until the 2027 NBA draft.
This is the fourteenth season of the NBA in Horford, which includes stops in Atlanta, Boston and Philadelphia. He has averaged 13.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his career and has twice been an All-Defensive team option.