Thunder To Shut Down Al Horford

The Thunder weren’t able to trade Al Horford before Thursday’s deadline, but it appears the veteran big man has played his final game for the franchise, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Horford, 34, won’t play any more this season as Oklahoma City focuses on developing its young talent, sources tell Wojnarowski. He will train at the team’s facility and will remain around his teammates, but won’t be active for games.

Horford has been a positive influence on younger players since being acquired from the Sixers in an offseason deal, and the organization wants to keep him as a locker room presence, Woj adds. General manager Sam Presti has promised to work with Horford and his agent, Jason Glushon, to trade him after the season ends. Horford still has two years and $53MM left on his contract.

The Thunder had been planning to eventually make this move with Horford, a source tells Wojnarowski, but the recent loss of star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is expected to miss significant time with plantar fasciitis, sped up the timeline.

Horford has appeared in 28 games this season and is averaging 14.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per night.

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