Lakers ‘Remain In Strong Pursuit’ Of Celtics’ NBA Champion

It’s been a whirlwind couple of months for the Boston Celtics.

Boston’s franchise player, Jayson Tatum, lost his 2025-26 season to an Achilles tear on May 12 at Madison Square Garden, simultaneously ending Boston’s repeat hopes in an instant. The Tatum-less Celtics fought bravely against the New York Knicks in the second round and pushed the series to six games before ultimately falling.

Since then, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in cost-cutting moves.

Now, the Celtics might be on the verge of losing another one of their pillars from the 2024 championship season.

Per Forbes’ Evan Sidery, the Los Angeles Lakers are going after Al Horford.

“Even after signing Deandre Ayton, the Lakers remain in strong pursuit of Al Horford,” Sidery wrote on Thursday. “Ideally, Los Angeles wants to add a pick-and-roll lob threat alongside a stretch-five. Signing Ayton and Horford would certainly accomplish that goal.”

Celtics fans would be devastated to see Horford donning the Lakers’ purple and gold.

At 39 years old, however, the free agent Horford would likely only be interested in joining a contender, something the Celtics currently are not. Speculation is swirling that Horford will either join the Lakers, Golden State Warriors, or retire.

Could this really be it for Horford and Boston?

Why wouldn’t Horford consider sitting out a year and returning to the Celtics in 2026-27, joining a healthy Tatum and Jaylen Brown for one more shot at glory?

These are valid questions, but unfortunately for Horford, Father Time is probably the main variable driving his free agent decision.