3. Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks)
If the Heat are unable to re-sign center Hassan Whiteside after next season, Al Horford would be a great pick-up.
The 29-year-old center out of the University of Florida has spent his entire eight-year career with the Atlanta Hawks, where he’s been named to the All-Star team three times, including this past season.
He’s averaged 14.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game for his career, and has shot the ball at a 54.1 percent clip in his eight pro seasons.
At 6’10,” 250 pounds, Horford is a load on the low block and can more than hold his own defensively (he led the Hawks in shots blocked in 2014-15 with 1.4 per game).
He will be completing the final year of a 5-year, $60 million deal with the Hawks next season, and will probably be looking for a raise, perhaps in the range of $15-17 million annually. Quality big men like Horford who possess the size to body up any opposing four or five on both ends of the floor and the finesse on offense to pull defenders out of the lane are a rare commodity, and if the Heat lose Whiteside, the Hawks center should jump to the top of their wish list.
Riley could also play up the family angle if he recruits Horford, since the player’s wife — former Miss Universe Amelia Vega — reportedly has personal and professional ties to Miami.
Line up Al Horford next to Chris Bosh, Dragic, Wade and maybe Durant, and you have the foundation of a title contender for years to come.
Next: Chandler Parsons
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