The Atlanta Hawks head into the NBA offseason with four players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. Two of those players are expected to draw a significant amount of interest on the open market, especially with the NBA's salary cap set to spike with the league's new lucrative TV deal kicking in.
Center Al Horford is the most sought-after Hawk testing free agency this summer. It will be his first time on the open market in his nine-year career. Small forward Kent Bazemore will be joining him following two promising years in Atlanta.
Horford is expected to draw max or near-max offers from clubs trying to pry him away from the only NBA team he has ever known. The Boston Celtics, long on assets but short on star players, have been rumored to be interested in the big man. But another interesting potential landing spot is the Houston Rockets, who are rumored to be making Horford their top priority this offseason.
Current center Dwight Howard is expected to decline his 2016-17 player option so that he can re-enter free agency in July. After four tumultuous years with the team, it is unknown if both player and organization want to continue the relationship. Should Howard join his fourth team in his 11-year career this offseason, Houston would have a big need in the front court and the requisite salary cap space to address it.
Behind Howard on the depth chart is Clint Capela, a capable role player but not a starting-caliber center. With James Harden under contract and some decent surrounding pieces, the Rockets would make a lot of sense for Horford, who is presumably looking to join a perennial playoff team. It was just last year when the Rockets advanced to the Western Conference Finals, after all. Adding Horford would be a good fit from both a team and player standpoint.
The big man averaged 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season, appearing in all 82 contests. A versatile player, Horford is known for his adept passing and well-rounded game. He'd be a quality compliment to Harden's scoring punch.
NBA free agency will officially open on July 1.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
