The Boston Celtics have already lost multiple key players this offseason, and one of their biggest rivals may want to make Al Horford the next to depart.
Horford is drawing “serious” interest from the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency, Sam Amick and Dan Woike of The Athletic reported on Tuesday.
The Golden State Warriors are another team that has Horford on their summer wish list, so it could be a while before the 39-year-old makes a decision.
Sources tell me and @DanWoikeSports that Al Horford is also under serious consideration by the Lakers (in addition to the Warriors). As he says below, this might take some time. https://t.co/kwyL21qduv
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 1, 2025
The Lakers have a glaring need for frontcourt help, especially after they sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in the Luka Doncic trade.
Horford, a five-time All-Star, averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game for Boston this season. He can hit the occasional three-pointer and has made 37.7 percent of his career attempts from beyond the arc. Horford is also a strong rebounder and low-post defender.
Obviously, Horford is well past his prime. Lakers fans probably would not be too pleased if the former Florida Gator were the only veteran big man the team added this offseason. Depending on his salary demands, Horford’s most valuable qualities at this point in his career might be his leadership and experience.
The Lakers have been linked to another veteran big man who is a lot younger than Horford, but that move would invite character questions. Horford could potentially be a nice complimentary piece for the Lakers, as long as they have more ambitious ideas for their frontcourt.
The Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers last Monday and then dealt Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks the following day. They are reshaping their roster with Jayson Tatum expected to miss most of the 2025-26 season due to a torn Achilles, so they may want to get into a bidding war for Horford.
