Report: Atlanta Hawks Showing Interest In Free Agent Center Al Horford

While there are still some notable restricted free agents out there, the NBA free agency period has settled down for now, and the landscape for the NBA is starting to take shape for next season.

After trading for Kristaps Porzingis and drafting Asa Newell, Atlanta reached a pair of huge free agent signings on the first day of the free agency period. The Hawks signed Wolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a four-year, $62 million deal in a sign and trade that sent a 2027 2nd-round pick (via CLE) to the Wolves. Then, the Hawks signed free agent guard Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million deal. Not only that, but they got an unprotected first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in a draft-night trade. Given the massive injuries in the Eastern Conference next season, it seems that the Atlanta Hawks are going for it and making moves to put themselves in position to contend. One area they could still use some depth is at small forward, a third center. or another ball-handler. They have two roster spots remaining after signing last year's second-round pick Nikola Durisic to a standard contract.

One free agent who is still available is former Hawk center Al Horford. Horford was drafted by the team No. 3 overall in 2007 and then departed in free agency in 2016, a controversial move from Atlanta as they opted to sign Dwight Howard instead. Horford is one of the greatest Hawks of all-time and according to ESPN's Marc Spears, Atlanta is showing interest in bringing Horford back to Atlanta:

"Golden State obviously expected him to sign last week, he didn't. Lakers, Milwaukee, Atlanta, I believe are also interested in nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table," Spears said Monday. "He's still considering retiring and is not in any hurry. He's got a sixth kid coming on the way and lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. I'm hearing whether it's Golden State or to a lesser extent, the Lakers, being away from his family that far isn't going to be in that decision.

"Keep in mind, you know who I think could be in this decision? His 10-year-old son Ian, he just stated traveling on the road with Al two seasons ago. Kid loves basketball. ... I could see Ian convincing his dad to keep playing."