Horford not thinking about free agency, loves Atlanta

Fresh off being eliminated from the playoffs, Al Horford wasn't prepared to process the possibility he may have played his last game with the Atlanta Hawks.

"I'm not thinking about that," Horford told reporters. "We just had a tough loss. My main priority tomorrow is to meet with the team and the coaches one last time (for the season) and go from there and figure out how we can be a better group."

Selected third overall in the 2007 draft, Horford has spent his entire nine-year career in Atlanta, but the Hawks have plenty of questions heading into the offseason, and whether or not they can retain the four-time All-Star is one of them.

Horford will likely command a max deal when he hits unrestricted free agency this summer. Whether the Hawks are interested in committing that type of money to the veteran forward remains to be seen, but Horford appears willing to at least negotiate with the organization that he holds in high regard.

"I've set up here with my family," Horford said. "We all live here. We live here in the summer. We live here year-round. I'm very grateful for all the people here. They have taken me in from the very first day, even though I was a (Florida) Gator. They loved me. I really love the city."

Horford put together another strong season. He started all 82 games for Atlanta, averaging 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 32.1 minutes.