KEY POINTS

  • The Celtics could get some help by getting Al Horford back in the fray
  • The Thunder could get more picks in exchange as they continue to rebuild the franchise
  • Horford can provide the added muscle that Brad Stevens needs upfront

The Oklahoma City Thunder appear to be cleaning house, trading away some of their veterans as their drive to rebuild with young blood continues.

After dealing away Trevor Ariza, who did not play a single game for the Thunder, all eyes are now on Al Horford.

Horford has found it rough since leaving the Boston Celtics in 2019. He first went to the Philadelphia 76ers before getting shipped to OKC.

Known to be one of the silent operators the past years, the 34-year-old has hardly made any noise this season. Unfortunately, he does not appear to be part of the club’s future moving forward.

With the NBA trade deadline nearing, pundits feel that it may make sense for the Celtics to re-acquire Horford.

Boston needs some beef in their frontline unit. But the question tied to that is what will the Celtics give up in the event they consider bringing back the 6-foot-9 center-forward?

Seeing that the Thunder want young blood infused in their roster, picks could do the trick. One scenario could see OKC receive Boston’s 2021 first-round lottery protection through 2022.

Boston can absorb the $27.5 million salary of Horford because they have a $28.5 million traded player exception.

If not, the Celtics could also dangle Romeo Langford and a 2022 second-round pick via the Charlotte Hornets.

It would be a two-part trade package, with the Thunder first getting the pick for Horford. The second part would involve Langford in exchange for the Thunder’s 2023 and 2026 second-round picks.

Al Horford #42 of the Oklahoma City Thunder
Al Horford #42 of the Oklahoma City Thunder Getty Images | Meg Oliphant

The trade scenarios are a bit complex but something that could make sense for the Celtics and the Thunder.

OKC is four games behind the No. 8-ranked Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference, and their chances are not looking good.

For Boston, they are at the eighth spot of the Eastern Conference and need more talent to help their push towards the postseason wars.

Tristan Thompson is around, but it remains that head coach Brad Stevens needs more bodies to make a push for a better playoff performance.

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