Philadelphia 76ers big man Al Horford's name is “being whispered” around the league prior to the trade deadline. The Sixers are 25-14, but there are concerns about roster construction.
Via Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports:
Embiid’s injury puts Al Horford in position to be what he came to Philadelphia for: big man insurance, although it doesn’t seem like the best allocation of $100 million in resources to be a replacement. But if Embiid isn’t right, the 76ers are relatively easy fodder in the postseason. There’s no substitute for him, hence Horford’s name being whispered in trade circles with the deadline a little less than a month away.
Horford hasn't had the easiest of times adapting to his new team, but even if he takes over in the next few weeks as the de-facto center in place of the injured Joel Embiid, most feel like the veteran is incapable of putting up the monster numbers that a healthy Embiid would.
Should the Sixers make a move in the next few weeks, that shouldn't be taken as a knee-jerk reaction to Embiid's injury, but rather as an attempt to tighten the last few bolts as they attempt to make a championship run.
Horford is contributing a mixed bag of goods, averaging 12.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, but he's shooting a pestilent 45.8% from the floor and 34.8% from deep while hardly ever getting to the foul line. That perhaps is the main difference between the 33-year-old and Embiid, who feasts on the glass and makes constant trips to the free-throw line to earn his meal ticket.
Should the Sixers find a trade suitor for their $100 million man, they would be able to add a few pieces to their bench while giving the likes of Josh Richardson and Tobias Harris more freedom of touches. It could also open things up more for Ben Simmons, who has come under fire for his continued lack of shooting.
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