Hawks ready to offer Horford max

[TA9]

As reported by Chris Vivlamore, the Atlanta Hawks are willing to offer a five-year max deal to Al Horford, who'll be an unrestricted free-agent this summer. Horford has been a key player for the Hawks in the recent past and the front-office wants to keep him around no matter the price.

The market for Horford could be very big, with teams like Raptors, Celtics and Cavs that will pursue him.

Link: http://www.sportando.com/en/usa/nba/197132/hawks-willing-to-offer-a-max-deal-to-al-horford-in-the-off-season.html

Sounds crazy to me that they are willing to offer a 30 year old player that much money. We might have to win the series against Atlanta if we want to convince Horford that we are a much better team for him than the one he is playing on right now.

[chambers]

I don't want him for max money at 30 years old. He's an old 30 too.

[Irish Stew]

Why is the OP seemingly surprised that it will take a max offer to sign Horford with all the liquidity out there for almost every team? There is just going to be too much cap space money chasing too little elite talent. For the Celtics, this means a 4 years max offer if they want him.

[TA9]

Why is the OP seemingly surprised that it will take a max offer to sign Horford with all the liquidity out there for almost every team? There is just going to be too much cap space money chasing too little elite talent. For the Celtics, this means a 4 years max offer if they want him.

Because he is old. He will be a broken man in 3 years time hence why it would be stupid to offer him such a big contract lasting 5 years.

[SHAQATTACK]

Let them keep him .

I d rather overpay for Boogie , Oakfor etc.....someone younger .....if your going to overpay.

[saltlover]

Everyone who wants Horford has said all along it would take the max.  And it's the correct decision.  We have so many cheap contracts we can afford to overpay (and is it really overpaying if other teams are also offering the max?), and Horford fits our team's needs very well.  Unlike Boogie, he's also a free agent.

Yet another reason to beat the Hawks.  A first-round exit and he probably bolts Atlanta.

[Roy H.]

Everyone who wants Horford has said all along it would take the max.  And it's the correct decision.  We have so many cheap contracts we can afford to overpay (and is it really overpaying if other teams are also offering the max?), and Horford fits our team's needs very well.  Unlike Boogie, he's also a free agent.

Yet another reason to beat the Hawks.  A first-round exit and he probably bolts Atlanta.

I wouldn't say "probably". That 5th year is a pretty big negotiating chip for Atlanta.

[TheSundanceKid]

If they offer him a 5 year max he'll stay regardless of the outcome of this series

[saltlover]

Everyone who wants Horford has said all along it would take the max.  And it's the correct decision.  We have so many cheap contracts we can afford to overpay (and is it really overpaying if other teams are also offering the max?), and Horford fits our team's needs very well.  Unlike Boogie, he's also a free agent.

Yet another reason to beat the Hawks.  A first-round exit and he probably bolts Atlanta.

I wouldn't say "probably". That 5th year is a pretty big negotiating chip for Atlanta.

Oh, it definitely helps, I can't deny that.  But between the trade rumors from earlier this year and playoff failure, I think it's more likely than not he leaves.  The Hawks had a finger on the blow-up-the-team button in February.  If they get that itch again, he won't get to decide his new team.  So "probably".  I'm not going so far as to say "very probably" however.

[Denis998]

thats going to be another Joe Johnson contract

[mr. dee]

thats going to be another Joe Johnson contract

They are safe from signing him to a ridiculous contract this time around due  to the new CBA.

[Denis998]

Everyone who wants Horford has said all along it would take the max.  And it's the correct decision.  We have so many cheap contracts we can afford to overpay (and is it really overpaying if other teams are also offering the max?), and Horford fits our team's needs very well.  Unlike Boogie, he's also a free agent.

Yet another reason to beat the Hawks.  A first-round exit and he probably bolts Atlanta.

I wouldn't say "probably". That 5th year is a pretty big negotiating chip for Atlanta.

Oh, it definitely helps, I can't deny that.  But between the trade rumors from earlier this year and playoff failure, I think it's more likely than not he leaves.  The Hawks had a finger on the blow-up-the-team button in February.  If they get that itch again, he won't get to decide his new team.  So "probably".  I'm not going so far as to say "very probably" however.

I think if he stays in ATL he will require a no trade clause,.

[crimson_stallion]

Better them than us.

Mark my words right now - any team who offers Al Horford upwards of $25m+ a year for the next 4+ years is going to regret it in a huge way.

[Surferdad]

I don't want him for max money at 30 years old. He's an old 30 too.

Can someone explain this to me?  I don't recall that he's had any major injuries.  Also, the Hawks have not made a deep playoff run while he's been on the team.  Why is he an 'old' 30?

[nickagneta]

Better them than us.

Mark my words right now - any team who offers Al Horford upwards of $25m+ a year for the next 4+ years is going to regret it in a huge way.

I personally think he will be a good signing for at least three of those four years. Over the last four years his stats have been pretty consistent in just about every category, advanced stats or not, with the exception of his rebounding, which has trailed off some as Atlanta has played him more on the perimeter, and his three point shooting, which he has developed into a weapon just this year.

I think Horford's game will stay consistent for a few years but probably not be great at 34 years old. But he will give great value for that contract under the new salary structure for at least three years, IMO.