The Philadelphia 76ers signed All-Star big man Al Horford to a four-year, $109 million contract this summer. The Sixers now have two elite big men in the paint in Horford and Joel Embiid.
A Sixers executive can't stress enough how big the addition of Horford is for the club. The exec also raved about Josh Richardson, whom the Sixers acquired from the Miami Heat in the Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade deal.
“First, let’s recognize we lost some talent,” the Sixers exec told Keith Smith of Real GM. “But I think we more than replaced those who left. Al Horford is a game-changer for us. He’ll help the young guys grow up, while also being a really productive player on both ends. And Josh Richardson is a terrific player. I don’t know if people understand how improved he’s been offensively over the last couple of years, while maintaining his good defense.”
This past season with the Boston Celtics, Horford averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 53.5 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from beyond the arc and 82.1 percent from the free-throw line. The 33-year-old big man has given Joel Embiid problems in the past on defense, so the Sixers are certainly thrilled Al is on their side now.
Philly has four elite defenders in Al Horford, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Josh Richardson, so teams should have a hard time scoring on them next season.
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