Oklahoma City Thunder Rumors
Joe Mussatto: Daigneault on the decision to rest Al Horford on the front end of this back-to-back: “We do it purely based on what’s physically best for him. He’s very much a stakeholder in that process. To be honest with you, I’m not in the room even on those conversations.”
Joe Mussatto: Mark Daigneault said calling up Ty Jerome from the G League bubble was directly related to Hamidou Diallo’s injury. Diallo has been ruled out for tonight and tomorrow night at a minimum.
Al Horford on a potential trade: Anything is possible
The right offer of cap flexibility and draft picks could have Horford relocating. Horford understand this. He says Presti has been up front with him. “I think anything is possible,” says Horford. “But I’m not going to dwell on [any trade talk] too much.” And it’s worth noting the Thunder are in no hurry to deal him. Oklahoma City has one of the NBA’s lowest payrolls. And they see value in keeping Horford around. He insists he is satisfied with his situation—and thrilled to get the chance to wipe the memory of last season away.
Horford has warmed to Oklahoma City quickly. He appreciated the straightforwardness of Thunder GM Sam Presti. “He just told me he wanted me to come in here and have an impact in the culture here in the locker room,” Horford says. “Just everything that I’m about, to bring it over here.” And he marveled at the lengths the organization will go to for players. “I’ve been in different places, but this is just a very special place,” Horford says. “And I had no idea. From afar, I’ve always seen Oklahoma City and the Thunder as a good organization, but I didn’t realize how special it is here.”
Horford’s addition—at the premium price of a four-year, $109 million deal—was supposed to push Philadelphia into the Finals. Instead, the Sixers were broomed out of the first round of the playoffs. “I just think, just putting it all out there, I just think it just wasn’t a good fit,” Horford said in a telephone interview. “We just weren’t jelling. We weren’t meshing. And obviously, we had a lot of big guys out there in particular out playing and it just wasn’t fitting.”
Joe Mussatto: Ty Jerome will be available for the Thunder tonight. Al Horford (rest), Hamidou Diallo (right groin soreness) and George Hill (right thumb recovery) are out.
Joe Mussatto: The Thunder has recalled Ty Jerome from the G League bubble.
