Al Horford is preparing to be a free agent in the coming months and has been improving his game in order to earn a top-dollar contract. However, his improvement on the court has also led to trade rumors heading into the league deadline as the Atlanta Hawks might aim to deal the center out of fear of losing him for nothing in return. Horford has heard the talk and insists he is going nowhere.
The chances the Hawks deal Horford are slim to none regardless of what the offer is. The team is currently sitting in a comfortable spot for the playoffs and need Horford more than ever. His value to the team right now is far too great to give up. Horford told the media that while he has heard the trade talk, he is tuning it out and focusing on the playoffs.
"I think my priority and my focus is on the team and to keep play and do what I do," Horford said, via the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "This is my team. I feel like Atlanta is my home so my focus is on the team. I'm not going to pay attention to all of that. I haven't heard anything from the organization. For me, my priority is to focus on the team. My task is in front of me."
According to MyAJC.com, the Hawks fully intend to re-sign Horford in free agency. Right now, everyone from the Boston Celtics to the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons are showing interest in the center, but the Hawks are in a good place financially to meet his contract demands. With a max contract headed Horford's way, Atlanta is hoping to retain him for the long-term.
One reason the Hawks cannot afford to trade Horford is the nagging injury to Tiago Splitter. The big name has been out for a recent stretch of games with a hip injury that simply will not go away. He has missed nine games this season and there has not been much improvement in sight. That has put the Hawks in a tough place when it comes to size as Splitter admits he is frustrated.
"Not good," Splitter said, via the AJC in regards to his chances to play against the Pacers. "At the same time, I'm working hard to get back. I want to play. It has been a little bit frustrating."
The Hawks are thrilled with the improvement of players like Mike Scott and Tim Hardaway Jr who both had big games against the Philadelphia 76ers. The rise of those two reserves means the Hawks will likely stay put at the trade deadline. With the postseason in sight, Atlanta has confidence in the current makeup of their roster. If the Hawks slip in the playoffs, free agency could look a little different for players like Jeff Teague or Kent Bazemore.
