As Oklahoma City Thunder turns to younger players on the nighttime rotation, five-time All-Star center Al Horford will no longer be running for games this season, sources told ESPN.
Horford, 34, plans to stay with his teammates in Oklahoma City and train at the team facility, but he won’t be playing in the last 28 games for the Thunder, sources said.
Ever since arriving in a night trade from Philadelphia, Horford has been considered a significant presence and influence on the Thunder’s young, rebuilding roster, and the organization was keen for Horford to remain among them while the two sides worked their way through this decision, said sources.
After the season, Horford has two more years and $ 53 million left on his contract. Thunder general manager Sam Presti has pledged to work with Horford and his agent, Jason Glushon, to find the center of a team more suited to this late stage of his career.
Sitting out protects Horford from injuries that can make it difficult to move him in the off-season. Horford has averaged 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season. After joining the 76ers in 2019 for a four-year $ 109 million free agent deal, Horford was traded to the Thunder on draft night in 2020.
The Thunder recently lost starguard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for an extended period of time with plantar fasciitis. It was inevitable that Horford would eventually close this season, but Gilgeous-Alexander’s loss accelerated that timeline, sources said.
The Thunder could have three first-round picks in the 2021 NBA draft, based on a number of protection and pick-swap scenarios. The Thunder was surprisingly competitive with such a young unfinished roster, currently level with the New Orleans Pelicans at 19-25.
Oklahoma City has 17 first-round and 17 second-round picks under control through the 2027 NBA draft.
This is Horford’s 14th NBA Season, including stops with Atlanta, Boston and Philadelphia. He has averaged 13.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists for his career and was an All-Defensive Team pick twice.