NBA Rumors: OKC Thunder Freezing Horford For Rest Of Season, No Buyout Looms – Report

KEY POINTS

Al Horford is done for the season as the Oklahoma City Thunder has opted to sit him for the rest of the way
Thunder prefers a trade for Horford over a buyout, a report says
OKC is hoping other teams will agree to a trade for Horford

With the NBA trade deadline lapsing, the alternative for most teams is to buy out players so they can try joining other clubs. But in the case of the Oklahoma City Thunder, it appears that is not an option when it comes to veteran Al Horford.

Unable to find a suitable trade partner for the 34-year-old player, the Thunder will sit Al Horford for the rest of the season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported. The five-time NBA All-Star has two years left in his current deal worth $53 million.

Quietly, he has been doing well for the Thunder. But the move is seen more as a way for OKC to give other younger guys a chance to showcase their talent. And it appears Horford has no qualms about the decision of Thunder management.

“I look forward to supporting the guys who supported me... When I arrived, I understood the direction of the team, we had a great individual plan in place for me, and I feel like as a result I’ve played really good basketball for the Thunder,” Horford said in a statement.

Things could have been easier for Horford if he was bought out. But as Brian Scalabrine pointed out on NBC Sports Boston's Celtics Pregame Live, the Dominican player could still draw interest from other teams in the NBA offseason.

“I don't think he'll get bought out because I think Al Horford actually could get traded this offseason. I think a team would give up some assets [for him],” the former NBA player pointed out.

Horford played for 28 games with the Thunder this season before the announcement to freeze him came out. He is averaging 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 27.9 minutes of action. Those numbers could be helpful to teams who need some boost in their NBA playoffs bid.

As mentioned in a previous report, the Boston Celtics would have made sense considering they had a traded player exception clause worth $28.5 million. But come the NBA trade deadline, no deal happened, snuffing out that possibility.

Instead, the Celtics took in Evan Fournier from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Jeff Teague and two future second-round picks. Aside from that, Boston also sent Daniel Theis and Javonte Green, plus $1.3 million cash considerations, to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team trade that also involved the Washington Wizards. They ended up taking in Luke Kornet and Moritz Wagner in the deal.