"If the Hawks and All-Star center Al Horford are to reach an agreement on a contract extension he said it likely won't happen until just before the deadline.

Horford said Monday the Hawks and agent Arn Tellem, who have been in discussions for nearly a month, are set to meet at the end of the week regarding an extension to the contract he signed as the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2007.

If no deal is reached by the end of business Monday, then Horford would become a restricted free agent next summer once the Hawks extended him a qualifying offer by June 30.

"I kind of have thought this all along, but I think it really is going to come down to the last day," Horford said.

So far only two 2007 draftees have secured contract extensions. No. 2 overall draft pick Kevin Durant received a five-year, $85 million deal from Oklahoma City and Horford's University of Florida teammate Joakim Noah, the No. 9 pick, got five years and $60 million plus incentives from Chicago.

The actual value of extensions could change under the next collective bargaining agreement. Under the current labor deal, which expires in June, the Hawks can offer Horford an extension of up to five years and $82 million.

Horford said he's not nervous or anxious about the approaching deadline.

"All I can focus on is playing," he said. "Obviously, I hope we get it done. I can't control that. . . . I have always been that way when it is something outside of my reach, and I can't do anything about it. All I can do is just keep going."