Al Horford won't discuss a contract extension with the Atlanta Hawks until after the season, he said Tuesday.
Horford, who is entering the final season of his contract, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that his focus is on getting better as a player and helping the Hawks win games.
"As far as the contract stuff, I'm going to wait until the season is over," the center told the newspaper. "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."
He is scheduled to be paid a base salary of $12 million during the 2015-16 season. Financially, it likely makes more sense for Horford to wait and become a free agent since that would enable him to sign a richer contract, per rules of the collective bargaining agreement.
Horford, 29, has spent all eight seasons of his career with the Hawks, who drafted him No. 3 overall in 2007.
The three-time All-Star averaged 15.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 blocks for Atlanta, which finished with a 60-22 record, the best in the Eastern Conference.
He averaged 14.4 points in 16 playoff games as the Hawks advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, where they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
