Blockbuster trades are already flying in every direction around the NBA and with free agency just five days away, fans shouldn’t expect the Los Angeles Lakers to remain quiet for long.
L.A. needs a big man in the worst way, particularly one who can protect the rim on defense and serve as a high-chemistry lob threat with superstar Luka Doncic — around whom the new and wealthy majority owners of the Lakers are going to build the roster, despite the likely presence of 40-year-old LeBron James in the locker room for at least next season.
With all of that in mind, ESPN’s top NBA insider Shams Charania appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday, June 25, where he linked Los Angeles to beloved Boston Celtics big man Al Horford.
“They’re gonna have to be open-minded. How do you put the best roster possible around Luka Doncic [and] LeBron James?” Charania said, noting a handful of names the Lakers might pursue. “Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, Al Horford — and Al Horford, what’s come out of Jayson Tatum potentially missing all of next season is uncertainty around Boston. … He has a pretty robust free-agency market.”
Celtics in Sell-Off Mode Following Jayson Tatum Injury
GettyJayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.
Horford just finished his 18th NBA season and captured the title he sought with the Celtics following the 2023-24 campaign.
Boston has been the most active team in terms of trades ahead of Wednesday night’s draft, flipping Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks for Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang and a few second-round draft picks in return — all in the name of saving upwards of $200 million in luxury tax payments.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported Wednesday morning that teams with picks inside the top 10 of the draft have aggressively inquired with the Celtics about the availability of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. And while Windhorst acknowledged that he believes both players will remain in green and white come the draft’s conclusion, there is a chance Boston could do even more wheeling and dealing before the day is out.
All of that points to the Celtics having taken a clear position: the team is resetting in 2025-26, clearing the decks for a reorganization around a healthy Tatum once he returns from his torn Achilles tendon in 2026-27.
Lucrative Offer From Recently-Sold Lakers Could Make for Nice End to Al Horford’s NBA Career
GettyLeBron James (left) and Luka Doncic (right) of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Horford just turned 39 years old and just completed a two-year contract worth $19.5 million in Boston. The Celtics should be competitive in a ragged Eastern Conference next year, but they aren’t true title contenders.
As such, the two most likely motivators for Horford to keep playing are either another title or another payday during the twilight of a career that has already seen him earn north of $285 million for his on-court efforts.
Given his value to a team that intends to contend in Los Angeles, which can also offer him the chance to play on a lucrative contract in sunny Southern California alongside the likes of all-time greats in Doncic and James, a short-term union between Horford and the Lakers could make a considerable amount of sense.
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