NBA Free Agency 2016: 5 targets for Spurs
By Brad Weiss
Horford has played for the Atlanta Hawks his whole career, and this off-season will experience free agency for the first time in his career. After being swept out of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers the past two seasons, Horford may want to head to the Western Conference, where he will not have to face LeBron James until the NBA Finals.
Horford played for Billy Donovan, who is currently the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it could be the rival Spurs who land Horford this off-season. Horford would team with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge to form the best front court in the Western Conference, and would instantly make the Spurs a favorite to win it all next season.
On the Hawks, Horford has always deffered scoring, as he is one of the more unselfish superstars in the NBA. That brand of basketball would work perfectly with Coach Pop, who preaches team-first play. For his career, Horford has averaged nearly 15 points and nine rebounds, and he would fit perfectly in the Spurs offense.
Horford is the heart and soul of the Atlanta Hawks organization, and while the team does make the playoffs every season, they do not have the firepower to actually compete for an NBA title. With the Spurs, Horford could actually win one next season, and that may be enough to lure him to San Antonio.
Next: 4. Mike Conley