Al Horford is preparing to be one of the most popular names on the free agency market when the NBA offseason approaches. The center has an expiring contract and could earn a very nice pay raise this summer. After making it clear he would not negotiate a contract extension until the season is over, Horford has opened himself up to trade talk as the Hawks are getting plenty of interest in a deal for the veteran.
According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports, the Hawks are listening to offers for Horford ahead of the trade deadline, but the chances a deal gets made are slim to none. Atlanta has the ability to re-sign Horford in the offseason which is the team's intentions. However, Spears writes that out of fear of losing Horford for nothing in return, the team is at least listening to what they could get in return for the center.
Horford has been taking his game to another level this season in preparation for free agency. He has expanded his role as a shooter while improving from long range. That has made him very valuable to the league, but also to Atlanta. Right now if the Hawks are getting to the playoffs, they need Horford on the court. The team is far removed from the one that won 60 games last year, but they have shown potential to improve and that means Horford needs to be around. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have been listed as contenders for the center, but the chances they have something better to offer Atlanta are slim.
A max contract for Horford will be in the range of five years and $146 million. He will seek the full max. The Hawks can afford it and they want to keep the center around. According to Horford, the feeling is mutual.
"The city itself is a great city," Horford said, via Yahoo Sports. "People are great. This Hawks' organization is moving in the right direction. With the new ownership, with the coach, I really feel good about the future of the Hawks. Atlanta has the potential for a guy like myself to maximize [the business] part of it. But obviously there are other cities, bigger cities that are more appealing probably [business- and marketing-wise]. The impact would be bigger if that is what you are looking for."
Those words likely mean that Horford will not hesitate to test the market. The makeup of the roster will likely dictate whether or not the center puts Atlanta at the top of his list. With Kent Bazemore potentially departing along trade rumors around Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder, the offseason could be an interesting one for Atlanta.