Miami Heat: Five back up options if Hassan Whiteside leaves
By Cory Sanning
4. Al Horford
When it pertains to offensive skill at the center position, you don’t get much better than Al Horford, who’s been a staple with the Hawks ever since they selected him with the third overall pick in the 2007 draft.
Since the turn of the decade, Horford has been elected to four All Star teams and was named All-NBA Third Team in 2011. With him manning the middle, the Hawks have made the playoffs nine straight years, including the franchise’s first conference finals appearance in over two decades. While Horford’s career numbers of 14.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game aren’t at the level of Howard’s one can’t deny he’s been one of the most consistent big men in the NBA over the past five years.
As if it didn’t stop there, Horford has even taken time to develop a three-point shot, making 1.1 per game on 3.1 attempts while shooting it at a 34 percent rate this past season. It’s no secret that one of Erik Spoelstra’s strengths is spreading the floor with big men that can shoot, ala Chris Bosh, Rashard Lewis, etc.
While this year’s class isn’t headline with very man “superstars”, there is no doubt Horford is the cream of the crop outside of Durant and LeBron.
Both he and Miami would benefit from his potential addition, but all signs point to Horford’s heart being in Atlanta.
Next: 3. Nic Batum