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The Los Angeles Lakers made a bold move by picking up DeAndre Ayton to be their new starting centre, a decision that comes with some risk, but also a lot of upside. Ayton arrives on a team-friendly contract and has something to prove after a rocky end in Phoenix. The Lakers are hoping a fresh start on a championship-contending roster brings out the best in him.
But Ayton alone isn’t enough to fully secure the Lakers’ frontcourt. According to recent free agency chatter, the team has been actively looking to add another big man to back him up, ideally, a savvy veteran who can stretch the floor and bring leadership to the locker room.
One name that’s been floating around is Al Horford. Even though he’s pushing 40, Horford is still a reliable contributor who plays smart, steady basketball, exactly the kind of presence the Lakers could use off the bench behind Ayton.
Unfortunately, it looks like that plan won’t come together. According to The Stein Line, all signs suggest Horford is headed to the Golden State Warriors instead. As of Sunday, the official start of the NBA’s 2025-26 salary cap year, free agent deals can be finalised, and it’s expected that Horford will soon sign with L.A.’s West Coast rivals.
For the Lakers, that stings. Horford would have been a great fit: experienced, unselfish, and capable of knocking down shots from deep. Pairing him with Ayton would have balanced out their frontcourt with a nice blend of youth and experience.
Now that Horford is likely off the market, the Lakers will have to pivot to Plan B, and quickly. There are still other options out there, but few come with Horford’s unique mix of playoff pedigree, leadership, and floor-spacing ability.
On the bright side, maybe this is a blessing in disguise. Some fans may argue that adding another ageing former star wouldn’t solve the team’s issues. But others believe Horford could’ve been the missing piece in a title run.
Either way, the Lakers are back to the drawing board in free agency, and the Warriors may have just scored a sneaky-good addition.