NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers might be in the hunt for 20 million Boston Celtics superstar to support LeBron James amid cap constraints

The Los Angeles Lakers may have already made some key offseason moves, including the high-profile signing of Deandre Ayton, but they’re not done yet. According to recent reports, the Lakers are still in the mix for veteran big man Al Horford, even as retirement looms large for the 39-year-old and salary cap constraints tighten.

Los Angeles Lakers Still Monitoring Al Horford’s Status

Fresh off an NBA title run with the Boston Celtics, Al Horford finds himself at a career crossroads. While many assumed he would either retire or return to Boston for one last ride, financial and roster realities have complicated that path.Horford has not signed with any team yet, despite reported expectations that he’d ink a deal with the Golden State Warriors. This delay has opened a small window of opportunity for other suitors—including the Lakers, as confirmed by ESPN’s Marc Spears.“Golden State, obviously, expected him to sign last week. He didn’t. Lakers, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, I believe, are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table,” Spears shared. (H/t: Lakers Nation)

Why Al Horford Makes Sense—And Why It’s Complicated

Al Horford remains one of the most respected stretch bigs in the league. His leadership and ability to space the floor made him a crucial component of the Celtics’ championship run in 2024.

However, the Celtics are now pivoting. Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear and rising concerns about the second apron are pushing Boston to get younger and cheaper.For Horford, who splits his offseason between Atlanta and Boston and is expecting his sixth child, location matters. Spears also noted that “being away from the family that far isn’t going to be in that decision,” implying that West Coast teams like Golden State or the Lakers may not be ideal fits unless the opportunity is too good to pass up.

Salary Cap Headache: Can the Los Angeles Lakers Afford Al Horford?

Here’s where the situation becomes tricky for L.A. While the Los Angeles Lakers are clearly interested, their financial flexibility is almost nonexistent at this point in the offseason.

Current Cap Situation

Unless the Lakers make an additional trade to free up room under the cap, signing Horford remains a long shot. Still, the fact that they haven’t ruled it out entirely shows their commitment to fortifying the roster.

Recent Moves and Where Lakers Stand

The Lakers have already addressed their biggest need—adding a reliable starting center—by signing Deandre Ayton. They’ve also retained Jaxson Hayes for frontcourt depth and brought in Jake LaRavia with their mid-level exception. Here’s a quick look at their offseason so far:

Move Details

With these moves, the Lakers appear to be focusing on depth and size, a direction that aligns with possibly adding Horford—if they can make the finances work.

Why the Lakers Might Have No Real Interest in Andrew Wiggins

In a separate thread of rumors, the Lakers were briefly linked to a potential move for Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins. However, those whispers didn’t hold up under scrutiny.While speculation suggested the Lakers might be staying quiet in order to finalize a trade, it quickly became clear that Miami intended to hold on to Wiggins through the season. Sources have since downplayed any serious traction between the Lakers and Wiggins, hinting that the original chatter may have been overstated.The Lakers have done well to build a competitive roster around their core, but they continue to explore ways to add value—especially through seasoned veterans like Al Horford. The odds may be slim, given the financial restrictions, but the door isn’t shut.Also read: Los Angeles Lakers Trade Rumors: No Deal for $109,000,002 Golden State Warriors Star, LeBron James Still Draws InterestAs Ron Gutterman reported, “It still feels like a long shot, but it’s good to know that the Lakers are not all the way out on making another helpful addition this offseason.” Only time will tell whether Horford decides to suit up for another year—or if the Lakers can move the financial pieces needed to bring him in.