NBA Trade Deadline: Ranking value of 5 stars on the market

2. Al Horford

With his ability at both ends of the floor and improved jump shot, Al Horford deserves to be high on this list as the perfect type of center for today’s NBA offenses. He isn’t a force like DeMarcus Cousins, but Horford still brings such versatility with his range to help the Hawks create an offense that thrives off stellar ball movement and perimeter shooting.

He’s shooting 34 percent from three this season with one make per game, which has taken his season total to 55 threes after making a mere 21 in the previous eight years combined. Along with his touch from beyond the arc, Horford is also shooting 50.3 percent from 16-24 feet while finishing strong inside by making 73.1 percent of his shots within three feet.

Essentially, he’s incredibly efficient from most areas of the floor. Add on his vision and passing ability which equates to 3.5 assists per 36 minutes and he can do a lot for an offense.

At the defensive end, he’s tough for a player whose game is more built on finesse instead of power. 1.5 blocks and 0.8 steals per game are respectable numbers and he holds opponents below 50 percent shooting at the rim as well. He’s intelligent and agile enough to defend towards the perimeter and can hold his own in the paint, too.

With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that he’ll be drawing interest from around the NBA. However, ESPN’s Zach Lowe has reported that the Hawks need be “wowed” when it comes to listening to offers for Horford, and that hasn’t been the case yet:

"To put it politely, the league is skeptical this is anything more than a Hawks fishing expedition designed to gin up one crazy offer for Horford. Wes Wilcox, Atlanta’s GM, is asking teams to “wow” him, sources say, and no one is biting."

Horford is worth a lot, but age and contract issues can’t be ignored, which is why the Hawks must be willing to take offers. Getting the blockbuster offer they want is another matter, though. They value him so highly and he’s a perfect fit in Mike Budenholzer’s system, that a “crazy offer” seems like the minimum requirement for now.

Besides the level of overall talent, it’s Horford’s age (29) and expiring contract that prevents him from reaching the top of this select list. Yet, as someone who could still be the frontcourt anchor at both ends of the floor for so many upcoming teams, Horford has great value at the deadline. Unfortunately for those who want him, the Hawks probably value him higher than anyone else.

Next: Blake Griffin