Lakers Dealt Unfortunate News by Warriors Amid NBA Free Agency Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers have been aiming to bolster the team’s depth down low to pair with Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Los Angeles already received a significant upgrade at center by landing Deandre Ayton following his release by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Fresh off landing the former No. 1 pick, the Lakers have also been searching to land another star big man. Forbes’ Evan Sidery reported that the Lakers were trying to sign Boston Celtics five-time All-Star Al Horford, even after agreeing to terms with Ayton.

“Even after signing Deandre Ayton, the Lakers remain in strong pursuit of Al Horford,” Sidery noted in a July 2, message on X. “Ideally, Los Angeles wants to add a pick-and-roll lob threat alongside a stretch-five. Signing Ayton and Horford would certainly accomplish that goal.”

Unfortunately for the Lakers, the Golden State Warriors are also on the prowl to land the former NBA champion center. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Warriors are expected to sign Horford, even if the exact logistics are still being finalized.

“While having the full non-taxpayer midlevel would theoretically provide the Nuggets with the financial flexibility to offer a richer Year 1 salary to Boston Celtics free agent Al Horford that Golden State can pitch, I continue to hear that Horford is destined to land in the Bay Area,” Stein explained in a July 6, 2025, story titled, “Sunday Best: LOTS of fresh NBA free agency and trade Intel.” “That’s despite the fact that the Warriors currently have only the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel to offer him.”


The Lakers Were ‘Under Serious Consideration’ by Al Horford in NBA Free Agency

The news comes as the Lakers were once labeled serious contenders to sign Horford. Los Angeles being able to shuffle between Ayton and Horford would have been a massive win for head coach JJ Redick. Instead, it looks like it is back to the drawing board for Los Angeles.

“Sources tell me and @DanWoikeSports that Al Horford is also under serious consideration by the Lakers (in addition to the Warriors),” The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported in a July 1, message on X. “As he says below, this might take some time.”


All Eyes Are on LeBron James’ Future With the Lakers

The backdrop for any Lakers’ decision centers around James’ future with the team. Yet, it is worth noting that James opted into the final year of his contract. If James were serious about potentially leaving Los Angeles, the star could have tested the NBA free agency waters.

“The entire situation, on its face, is a confounding game of dueling passive-aggressive moves,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps wrote in a July 4, article titled, “NBA free agency: LeBron’s next move, Denver’s deals, more intel.” “James could’ve been a free agent had he opted out of the final year of his contract, which, as one executive said, would have been the way to truly make this a wild situation.

“James instead opted to collect his money, and perhaps just as importantly, maintain his no-trade clause. Doing so would seem to have indicated he expected to play his eighth season in a Lakers uniform.”

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