As the Oklahoma City Thunder move toward younger players in the night rotation, five-time All-Star center Al Horford will no longer be active for games this season, sources told ESPN.
Horford, 34, plans to stay with his Oklahoma City teammates and train for the team, but will not play in the last 28 games for the Thunder, sources said.
Since arriving from Philadelphia in an overnight transaction, Horford has been considered a significant presence and influence on Thunder’s young, rebuilding list, and the organization has been eager for Horford to remain among them, while the two sides worked through this decision, sources said. .
After the season, Horford will have two more years and $ 53 million under contract. Thunder CEO Sam Presti has committed to working with Horford and his agent, Jason Glushon, to find the center of a career for a team that fits better with this late stage of his career.
The settlement protects Horford from injuries that could complicate his ability to move out of season. Horford have averaged 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season. After joining the 76ers in a four-year, $ 109 million deal in 2019, Horford was traded to the Thunder on draft night in 2020.
Thunder recently lost star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for a long time with plantar fasciitis. It was inevitable that Horford would eventually 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, based on a number of protection scenarios and changing options. Thunder was surprisingly competitive with such a young, unfulfilled roster, now tied with the New Orleans Pelicans at 19-25.
Oklahoma City controls 17 first-round picks and 17 second-round picks in the 2027 NBA Draft.
This is Horford’s 14th NBA season, which includes stops in Atlanta, Boston and Philadelphia. He earned an average of 13.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists for his career and twice was a choice for the all-defensive team.