The Los Angeles Lakers‘ roster is full, but they have been named as the Golden State Warriors‘ strongest rivals for free agent center Al Horford.
According to Andscape’s Marc Spears, the Lakers and two teams from the Eastern Conference have expressed interest in the 39-year-old center.
“Golden State, obviously, expected him to sign last week. He didn’t,” Spears said on ESPN’s “NBA Today” on July 14. “Lakers, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, I believe, are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table.
“He’s still considering retiring; he’s not in any hurry. He’s got a sixth kid coming on the way, he lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. But I’m hearing that whether it’s Golden State and to a lesser extent the Lakers, being away from the family that far isn’t going to be in that decision.”
Horford, who earned $9.5 million last season, averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while making nearly two 3-pointers per game on 36.3% shooting from beyond the arc. The stretch center, who helped the Celtics win their 18th championship to break their tie with the Lakers, could add depth to the Lakers’ frontcourt that was so thin in the postseason, which led to their first-round exit.
If Horford joins the Lakers, he is expected to back up former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton.
The Lakers still have the $5.1 million bi-annual exception, but bringing back Jaxson Hayes on a one-year deal worth $3.4 million that is above the veteran minimum crippled their ability to access it. They can open up $3.9 million of their bi-annual exception if they waive reserve guard Shake Milton‘s non-guaranteed $3 million salary.
The Lakers missed out on veteran center Brook Lopez because of LeBron James, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne.
The statement issued by James’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, steered Lopez away from the Lakers and into their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Free agent center Brook Lopez, who league sources said had strongly considered the Lakers and the potential starting role, grew wary of the uncertainty around James’ future with the team and opted to sign with the rival LA Clippers, where he will be a backup,” Windhorst and Shelburne wrote on Friday, July 11.
Lopez was linked to a reunion with the Lakers heading into the trade deadline.
On June 28, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on “The Stein Line” that “Numerous rival teams are bracing for the center-craving Los Angeles Lakers to make a run at luring Lopez away from the Bucks.”
James turned down ESPN’s request to sit down on the broadcast to talk about his future and his agent’s controversial statement.
“I ain’t got nothing to talk about,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin before the ESPN broadcast of the NBA Summer League game between the Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans on July 12.
On June 29, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul sparked the trade rumors with his cryptic statement after James opted into his $52.6 million player option.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania on June 29. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
James has been closely monitoring the Lakers’ offseason.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future,” Paul continued. “We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”
