Tue, Dec 8, 2020 at 10:22pm

HORFORD HEADS TO OKC

The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired center/forward Al Horford, guards Theo Maledon and Vasilije Micica, and a protected first-round draft pick in 2025 from the Philadelphia 76ers for forward/guard Danny Green, guard/forward Terrance Ferguson and center Vincent Poirier.

What does it give the Oklahoma City Thunder
For the Thunder, adding Horford's leadership should help in 2020-21 (especially after trading away point guard/leader Chris Paul). In Oklahoma City, Horford will likely start at center in place of Steven Adams, after coming off the bench a lot in recent years. The fact OKC also added three future assets in a trade for a player they just acquired from the Lakers, is an added bonus for the Thunder's rebuilding plan. Both Maledon and Micic are European point guards who could become part of the bench in OKC at some point.

What does it give the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia was desperate to get out from under the Horford contract, so this deal makes sense for them. He simply was not a good fit next to Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris in Philly. Green should help the club in terms of defense, leadership and three-point shooting. He also has championship rings with three different teams, which holds a lot of value. As for Ferguson, he is another wing who can shoot from the outside, which is what Philly wants. Poirier seems like a throw-in here, since the Sixers have plenty of depth behind Embiid at the center position.

Fantasy impact
Neither Horford nor Green have great fantasy outlooks for 2020-21, but both could be better off after this trade. Both veterans are on the back nine of their careers, so neither player should be picked until the later rounds in all formats. Ferguson holds little fantasy value at present time. Ditto Poirier. Micic is older for a prospect, so he will either come over to the Thunder in the next year or two or be forgotten as a prospect. Maledon is more of a keeper selection at this point, but he has a chance to become a decent backup point guard at the NBA level.