The Los Angeles Lakers have had one clear agenda this offseason: fix the hole at center.
So far, they’ve struck out. After their big man depth, or lack thereof, became their Achilles heel in a five-game playoff series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, help was necessary.
However, on the first day of free agency, a few quality names like Brook Lopez and Clint Capela have already come off the board. Now, the Lakers are turning their attention elsewhere with a different former NBA champion on their radar as a veteran addition.
Los Angeles Lakers Center Targets Shifting
At the start of free agency, senior NBA insider and analyst Brian Windhorst outlined a plan for Los Angeles that involved adding multiple centers to the roster in the coming weeks. However, his top two targets for LA were Lopez and Capela.
Now that those two are off the board, the free agent market for big men is quickly drying up. As a result, the Lakers might have to engage in trade negotiations for names like Nick Richards and Walker Kessler.
However, still on the free agent market, their number one target might be someone who shares a draft class, and more importantly, an agent, with their young superstar Luka Dončić: Deandre Ayton.
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After a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton entered the free agent market and could come on a bargain deal for the Lakers, serving as the ideal rim-running lob threat that Dončić needs to thrive.
But beyond the former first overall pick, the next player on Los Angeles’ radar among the remaining free agents might be veteran NBA Champion Al Horford. One of the best 3-and-D centers in the league, Horford is nearing the end of his career.
However, as he’s shown with the Boston Celtics over the last two seasons, he can still contribute at a high level in meaningful games. Bringing toughness, a veteran locker room presence, and elite 3-point shooting, he could easily allow LA to run inside-out lineups.
Sam Amick of The Athletic confirmed as much on X, writing, “Sources tell me and @DanWoikeSports that Al Horford is also under serious consideration by the Lakers (besides the Warriors). As he says below, this might take some time.”
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
However, Dan Woike clarified earlier that their number one target remains Ayton. “Sources tell me that in addition to Deandre Ayton, the Lakers are still evaluating other options in free agency and via trade. Obviously a crucial decision for the Lakers — would expect an answer in the upcoming days.”
With size and defense necessary for their roster, both Horford and Ayton make sense on paper for the Lakers. But for a looking for younger options might be the smarter bet team trying to adjust to their Slovenian superstar’s timeline, looking for younger options might be the smarter bet.