How are the Los Angeles Lakers planning to strengthen their frontcourt this offseason?
With limited cap space, the team is eyeing savvy veteran additions, and one name generating buzz is a seasoned big man who could transform their defense and add playoff experience.
This potential target, currently with the Boston Celtics but entering free agency, brings a unique skill set that could complement the Lakers’ star duo of LeBron James and Luka Dončić, though his age and fit raise questions.
Sam Quinn of CBS Sports recently broke down the case for this player to land in LA, highlighting both his strengths and potential drawbacks:
“Pros: Even at 38, he was still perhaps the best defensive player on the No. 4 defense in the NBA last season in Boston,” Quinn wrote.
“Still an excellent switch defender who can hold up in isolation against basically anyone. Immovable in the post. Philadelphia was once so scared of him that it gave him a max contract in part to ensure that he couldn’t defend Joel Embiid anymore. The best shooting big available at this price point. Sorely underrated passer. One of the smartest players of his generation. An absolutely beloved teammate almost everywhere he’s been.”
“Cons: He’s entering his age-39 season, so there’s no telling how much longer he’ll be able to play at this level,” Quinn continued.
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“Still good enough to warrant bigger offers than the taxpayer mid-level, even if it’s only a one-year deal. In part because of how much time he spends on the perimeter, he’s never been a valuable rebounder. He’s not at all a lob threat for Dončić. While he’s by no means a bad rim-protector, that has never been his defensive strength. He’s a Celtic, and at this point in his career, there might not be enough upside for him to risk (jeopardizing) his standing in Boston by wearing the purple and gold.”
This player is Al Horford, the veteran center who has anchored Boston’s elite defense for years.
Horford’s ability to switch onto guards, stonewall post-up players, and knock down threes makes him an intriguing fit for the Lakers.
His basketball IQ and playmaking could elevate L.A.’s offense, and his leadership, lauded by teammates like Jayson Tatum, would also bring stability to a locker room navigating intense expectations.
However, signing Horford presents challenges. At 39, his durability is a concern, despite playing 65 games last season. His rebounding is pedestrian for a center, and his diminishing athleticism limits his fit as a lob threat, as alluded to by Quinn.
The Lakers’ taxpayer mid-level exception (projected at $5.2 million) might not be enough to lure him from Boston, where he’s a beloved figure and 2024 champion.
The Lakers’ pursuit of Horford hinges on their ability to sell him on a final championship run while Boston goes through a gap year.
Yet, Horford’s deep ties to the Celtics and the physical toll of a 19th NBA season could make him hesitant. If the Lakers can secure Horford, they’d gain a battle-tested veteran whose intangibles and versatility could push them closer to a title. But it’s an unlikely outcome.
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