NBA trade rumors 2015: Al Horford fires agent Bill Duffy

Al HorfordReuters

Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks is bound to be one of the big names when the 2016 National Basketball Association (NBA) free agency period kicks off.

And perhaps in a move to make sure that he gets the proper deal due to him, he wants an agent where he is comfortable with. That said, the Atlanta Hawks center-power forward has reportedly dumped previous agent Billy Duffy of BDA Sports and has gone back to the Wasserman Media Group.

Horford left the Wasserman Media Group when previous agent Arn Tellem hooked up with the Detroit Pistons. At that time, the Puerto Rican cager opted to go with Duffy instead, tweeting that it was important for him to be with a person he felt comfortable with.

Although it wasn't really mentioned by Horford that he was uncomfortable with Duffy, he simply said via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he was more comfortable under the Wasserman group.

Horford will likely have a busy offseason as well, next perhaps to Kevin Durant who is expected to be besieged by suitors who will vie for his services.

The 29-year-old Horford is unlikely to get a spike in pay once his contract is up. He is currently receiving $12 million and the Atlanta Hawks may be only able to offer a minimal raise by the offseason.

It remains to be seen what Horford will eventually do as he can only decide after his contract is up and becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Horford has played only with the Hawks since he arrived in 2007, ironically the same year that Durant entered the League. He was the 3rd overall pick that year but has since been flying high with the Hawks.

But with the Hawks struggling a bit this season compared to last year, there is a looming possibility that Horford could opt out. The Hawks are toting a 17–12 record as of this writing, tied with the Toronto Raptors in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings.