Al Horford is entering the final year of his contract with the Atlanta Hawks but it doesn't look like the Hawks will secure him until the free agent period next year.
According to a report from the Bleacher Report, Horford plans to focus on the coming season and think of his next step once the 2015–16 NBA season ends.
"As far as the contract stuff, I'm going to wait until the season is over. I'm not going to let that linger and be a distraction. The focus is to be on the Hawks, on our team and getting better. Once the season ends, we'll be able to sit down and talk and figure out all of that," Horford said in a report by Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
His plans include that of testing the free agent market, which is seen by many as a move to determine how much he could actually be worth by next year.
Although the thought of seeing Horford bolt the Hawks seems remote for now, it is actually the numbers game coming into play.
Al Horford, entering final year of his contract, says he will wait until after season to discuss any new deal. Wants focus on season.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) August 18, 2015 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">With the salary cap seen to reach $90 million by 2016, Horford's move is deemed to be normal, considering all other players set to become free agents by next year will likely be doing the same.
Kevin Durant, of course, headlines that batch, along with some players holding player options after this year. One player who has such is LeBron James.
So with that in mind, it won't be surprising not to hear about contract extensions in the duration of next season, with most players waiting for the expected chaotic free agency in 2016.
As far as Horford is concerned, the Hawks are likely to exhaust all means to retain him unless, of course, Horford focuses his attention at something else like an NBA title. Remember the LaMarcus Aldridge deal?
But with the Hawks, the team almost got there last season. It just so happened that they sputtered in the end and came face-to-face with a James-led Cleveland Cavaliers. After learning their lesson last year, the coming season could be different.
