Playing in his last season with the Hawks this 2015-2016, Al Horford's contract extension is least of his concerns right now.

According to ajc.com, Horford is guaranteed $12 million for the 2015-2016 season and will be a free agent after that. When asked whether he has plans for extending his contract with the Hawks, he said that his focus right now is on improving himself as a player and helping his team become a better contender this upcoming season. He also added that concerns about contract extension will have to wait until the season is over. Mulling over it will only distract him from his games.

Remaining equally contented on a base salary cap, Horford has a chance of bargaining his salary cap in the next few seasons of the NBA. In a report from ESPN, the rule of collective bargaining agreement, when it comes to salary caps, is for a player to become a free agent to bargain for more.

Al Horford's teammates have subsequently made their own decisions. Paul Millsap remained with the Hawks for another three years with a salary cap of $59 million while DeMarre Carroll signed a four-year contract with the Raptors with a salary cap of $60 million.

Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas sealed a deal with the Toronto Raptors with a four-year contract that will guarantee him $60 million. Valanciunas is currently busy with his Lithuanian team for the upcoming Euro Basket Tournament. The deal will significantly put Valanciunas' mind to rest, knowing that he will have the assurance of a contract when he gets back.

In a report by espn.go, his coach from Lithuania also acknowledged his need to leave for a very short time for the contract signing. He will join Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard as the three 2012-2013 rookies that will receive their first team extension.

The move by the Raptors to sign Valanciunas is to make sure that he will not jump ship in the next NBA season, where the salary ceiling becomes bigger. Despite signing him with the max deal, the Toronto Raptors are still far from maxing out their total limit. They have even considered signing up additional stars to their roster. Considering that Terence Ross will be staying with the Raptors, the team is willing to make the necessary deal to prevent him from being a free agent next season. The long-term contract discussion with 23-year-old Valanciunas can now be put to rest with the signed and sealed deal.

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