What Will Happen to Al Horford?
The Sixers’ big acquisition this offseason has been a big disappointment.
When the Sixers signed Al Horford this offseason, the move was met with mixed opinions. On one hand, the Sixers signed one of the best players away from the rival Boston Celtics. Horford has never missed the playoffs in his 12 years in the NBA and was considered a key piece for a Celtics team that owned the Sixers the last two years.
But on the other hand.. why? Why sign a 34-year-old who played center during his time in Boston when you have arguably the best big man in the league?
As we now can see, Horford couldn’t just snap his fingers and transition back into a power forward like the Sixers were counting on.
Horford’s time in Philly has been.. mediocre, to say the least. Big Al’s consistency that he was known for in Boston has all but disappeared, and he looks like a shell of his former self. He has shushed the Philly faithful after hitting a wide-open jumper and has a sister who has been nothing but a nuisance on social media.
Brett Brown has struggled to find a way to fit him into the offense all season and has since moved the big man to the bench.
Yes, a player who signed a $109 million contract last offseason is a bench piece for the Sixers. Not a great look.
Brown has even stated just this week he is still looking for ways that he can involve Horford in this 76ers offense. Shouldn’t that have been figured out before they threw over $100 million at him?
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The Al Horford signing really just seems like a giant spite toward the Celtics. If I were Josh Harris, though, I’d be mad too. The Celtics absolutely fleeced the Sixers in the move up to the first overall selection in the 2017 draft, the draft that netted Markelle Fultz for the Sixers and Jayson Tatum for the Celtics. The Celtics have torched the Sixers for the past two years and until this year, Brad Stevens has coached circles around Brett Brown.
Really what it comes down to is that Elton Brand let a personal vendetta get in the way of making a smart basketball move this offseason. Giving a four-year contract worth $109 million to an aging center looks like an atrocious move and is a move that the Sixers will be paying for in the coming years.
When the NBA returns, Horford will be moved to the bench, with Ben Simmons moving to power forward. In all likelihood, Al will see limited playing time and be paid handsomely to be a cheerleader for the rest of the year.
The Al Horford signing may go down as one of the worst free-agent acquisitions in Philadelphia sports history, and there have definitely been some bad ones. If the Sixers can find a way to unload the bloated contract of Horford, they should absolutely do so.
Hey, let’s look on the bright side: at least we got Matisse Thybulle from the Celtics!
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