NBA Rumors: Former Hawk Could Be Headed Back To Atlanta

Al Horford had his best years with that Atlanta Hawks and a reunion would be fascinating. And from the looks of it, the Hawks will get that chance with reports that the third overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft will be holding free agent meetings once teams are allowed to discuss potential deals for the 2019-20 season.

Horford opted out of his $30.1 million deal with the Boston Celtics recently with the 33-year-old big man looking for a team that can give him a long-term deal. At 33, the 6-foot-10 cager may be looking ahead, aware that his playing years are numbered. And if he and the Hawks can agree, it would be a fitting (potential) last hurrah for the Dominican professional basketball player. Much of this was discussed in a previous article.

The Hawks are one of several teams reportedly interested in Horford. In another post, it was detailed how teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks were also coy to the idea of adding the veteran center-forward to the mix. The Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers are also expected to look into the possibility of adding the grizzled veteran.

Before talks bogged down, the Celtics were ready to offer Horford a contract. The only thing that the five-time NBA All-Star may have not liked was the length of the deal. Seeing how there are new big men in the league, not to mention free agents to choose from, Horford's best chances of fulfilling his contract demands may be best off this summer.

A return to the only other team he has played for in the NBA would not only be nostalgic but logical. For one, the Hawks have the salary cap space and need a veteran to compliment the likes of Trae Young, John Collins, Kevin Huerter and incoming rookie DeAndre Hunter. If everything falls into place, the Hawks could pull off some surprises for the 2019-20 NBA wars and loom as a legitimate threat to top teams in the Eastern Conference, Yahoo Sports reported.

Horford's stars may not be as huge to a Kevin Durant or a Kawhi Leonard -- two of the top names expected to plague NBA free agency news. But the fact remains that he can be a legit threat down low, doing the dirty work and producing numbers that can help the Hawks or any team he ends up suiting for next NBA season.