Al Horford to sit out rest of season as Thunder focus on youth movement

Oklahoma City Thunder center Al Horford will sit out the team’s final 28 games as the team focuses on developing its younger players while also ensuring the 34-year-old Horford stays healthy leading up to a potential trade this offseason.

ESPN was first to report the news Saturday night, and the Thunder confirmed it by releasing statements from Horford and general manager Sam Presti.

Horford, under contract for two more seasons, will remain a member of the Thunder and will continue to train at the team’s facility. Coach Mark Daigneault said Horford is unlikely to travel for away games.

"When I arrived, I understood the direction of the team, we had a great individual plan in place for me, and I feel like as a result I’ve played really good basketball for the Thunder," Horford said in a statement. "At the same time, I know what it’s like to be a young, aspiring player, and at this point in the season I understand how important playing meaningful minutes is for their careers and their development."

Horford’s minutes at center will be filled by Moses Brown, Isaiah Roby and Tony Bradley — all of whom are 23 and younger. Bradley was acquired at the trade deadline and is in Oklahoma City, Daigneault confirmed. Bradley was not available to play Saturday night against the Celtics.

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"We’ve talked with Al from the time he became a member of the Thunder this offseason about the many ways in which he would be able to help us as we entered the early stages of the necessary transition of our team," Presti said in a statement. "From day one Al has been a consummate professional and has had a tremendous influence on the team on and off the floor with his work ethic and total commitment to his teammates.

"Our conversations have been open and ongoing about how to maximize this season for him personally as well as the development of our team. Al has been nothing short of spectacular and will remain a part of the team as we build on an approach and mentality that we have taken for some time."

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The Thunder acquired Horford from the Philadelphia 76ers last draft night in exchange for Terrance Ferguson and Danny Green. For taking on Horford’s contract, the Thunder also received the pick that became Theo Maledon and a top-six protected first-round pick in 2025.

Horford averaged 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 28 games with the Thunder. He shot 45% from the floor and 37% from 3-point range. Horford is owed $27 million next season and $26.5 million in 2022-23. The final year is partially guaranteed for $14.5 million.

ESPN reported that Presti has "pledged to work with Horford and his agent" on finding a trade with a team that better fits Horford, who is in the latter stages of his career.

Horford remained with the Thunder through the trade deadline Thursday, but finding a trade for him was always more likely in the offseason.

Daigneault said the decision to sideline Horford was influenced by the injury Shai Gilgeous-Alexander suffered. The Thunder’s star guard will miss a significant chunk of time due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

The Thunder have been resting key players, including Horford, due to the condensed season and the Thunder’s non-chances of contending.

"We probably were gonna get to this point with Al eventually anyway, where we went to him and discussed this plan," Daigneault said. "With Shai’s injury, it probably just expedited that a little bit to where we then went to him and said, 'Hey, what do we think about this?' That was a collaborative discussion obviously.

"But it probably happened a little sooner than we would’ve anticipated. But the Shai injury, we’re a different team, there’s no secret about that, we’re a different team without Shai."

The Thunder entered Saturday at 19-25. Without Horford for the rest of the season and Gilgeous-Alexander for at least a sizable stretch, it’s likely the Thunder’s lottery odds will improve.

Daigneault said Horford has expressed an interest in continuing to mentor players like Brown and Roby.

"Balancing where the team’s at and also what’s best for Al was something that was a high priority for us coming into the season, and I think it’s something that we’ve done really well," Daigneault said. "And sometimes that can create a lot of tension when you have a player that may not be on the exact same timeline as the team. Not only was it not a tension, but Al enhanced the development of the team."

Follow Joe Mussatto on Twitter @joe_mussatto.