Atlanta Hawks: Hawks at Sixers and Al Horford’s big contract weekend

So with three days until the deadline, what’s going to happen with Al’s contracts extension? It apparently epends on where you read it.

Last week, ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reported a deal was “probable” despite “persistent chatter in recent days that Horford and the Hawks have made little recent progress in negotiations.” I’m guessing the “persistent chatter” might have something to do with Horford himself saying a couple weeks ago there had been no movement. That really wasn’t such a big deal since there was plenty of time left for a deal (the bigger deal would have been if the sides weren’t talking) but for some reason that note caused a bit of a stir.

A few days ago NBA.com’s David Aldridge reported it was 50-50 the Hawks and Horford would reach an agreement. But yesterday CBSSports.com’s Ken Berger called the chances of a Horford extension “a long shot at best.”

Berger also reported “a person familiar with the discussions told CBSSports.com that talks are scheduled this week between Hawks management and Horford’s agent, Arn Tellem.” Well, I think Horford qualifies as a person familiar with the discussions, and he said the other day the Hawks and Tellem are meeting this weekend.

Anyway, Horford has said all along he’s not sure what’s going to happen but would like an extension. He reiterated that stance today.

“I am positive and hopeful that we can get something done,” he said. “I love being here and I hope that I can stay here for a long time.”

Agents squabble over Al

More recent “chatter” (indirectly) regarding Horford, though I’m not sure if it’s persistent: Sam Amick reports at FanHouse that agent Aaron Goodwin plans to file a complaint against Tellem.

Goodwin alleges Tellem (who also reps J.J.) poached Horford as a client just as Al was headed to possible negotiations on the extension. Goodwin told Amick there were some “improprieties” in how Tellem came to represent Horford but did not elaborate.

Horford said he terminated his contract with Goodin in May and hired Tellem in late June. The first he heard about Goodwin’s beef was through Amick’s story.

“I don’t understand what’s happening with that,” Horford said. “I talked to a few [agents] before I made the decision, so it wasn’t like I was for sure going with Arn. I haven’t talked to Aaron. We had a good relationship; I just made a business decision. So you can say I was caught off guard by this whole thing.”

Amick noted the Players Association has a code of ethics that addresses client poaching “but regulation has never been realistic because of the immense detective work that’s almost always necessary to come to an accurate ruling.” I don’t think this stuff rates with fans but obviously it’s a big deal among agents.

Mo adjustments

With Mo back in Atlanta tending to his surgically-repaired knee, L.D. basically has to find a backup for Marvin when he doesn’t have one.

“It puts us in a little bit of a dilemma,” L.D. said today. “We are probably going to have to play Joe more at three. Occasionally we are going to have to slide Josh down there. We can’t wear Marvin out at that spot. We will probably end up playing Joe more at three than anything else.”

Asked if all the shuffling might mean more time for JC2, L.D. said: “I’m not sure.”

Etan and Pape were the inactive guys at Memphis. Pape isn’t on the trip (and hasn’t practiced yet anyway) so Etan will dress out tonight.

Speaking of Etan, it’s worth checking out his blog post at HoopsHype.com. The Hawks knew they were getting an outspoken player when they signed him and this is the first taste of what that means.

Philly’s young guns

The Hawks might see Sixers youngsters Evan Turner and Jrue Holliday on the court together. The Philly Inquirer’s Mario Aguirre reports that tandem showed some promise in the fourth quarter against Miami Wednesday after Holliday struggled at the start.

MC