The Los Angeles Lakers have officially added a seasoned and respected veteran to their retooled roster, as 6-time All-Star Al Horford has agreed to a one-year deal to join the franchise ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. This move, while surprising in some corners of the basketball world, signals a calculated step by the Lakers toward balancing their mix of star power and championship-savvy leadership. At 39 years old, Horford may no longer be in the prime of his career, but his presence on a team loaded with expectations cannot be underestimated. Los Angeles is betting on experience, character, and basketball IQ, and Horford checks every box.
Horford’s decision to sign with the Lakers comes after the conclusion of his stint with the Boston Celtics, where he played a critical role in stabilizing the frontcourt and mentoring younger players, particularly during their championship run in 2024 and deep playoff contention in 2025. Known for his unselfish play, defensive versatility, and elite basketball mind, Horford has long been regarded as one of the league’s ultimate professionals. Even as he entered the twilight years of his playing days, he remained a key contributor for Boston, providing quality minutes, timely shot-making, and unwavering defensive effort.
What makes this move particularly notable is the current context surrounding the Lakers. Los Angeles is in the midst of a strategic roster makeover, determined to make one more deep postseason run with LeBron James still wearing purple and gold. While James recently hinted that he may play into his 40s, time remains a factor for the Lakers’ championship window. By bringing in Horford, the Lakers are clearly signaling that their mindset is win-now, all while ensuring they add steady, veteran voices who can elevate the locker room and lead by example when the spotlight burns brightest.
From a basketball standpoint, Horford’s value transcends the traditional stat sheet. Last season, he averaged 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 23.4 minutes per game, while shooting 38.2% from three-point range. His ability to space the floor as a big man complements the Lakers’ offensive schemes, especially with LeBron and Anthony Davis often operating out of the post or mid-range areas. Defensively, Horford’s switchability and rim protection remain impressive for a player his age. He’s not a shot-blocking force in the mold of Rudy Gobert or a spring-loaded big like Bam Adebayo, but he’s always in the right position, communicates well, and makes very few defensive mistakes.
Perhaps most importantly, Horford is battle-tested. With over 160 playoff games under his belt, including multiple Conference Finals and a Finals appearance in 2022, he understands what it takes to perform on the biggest stage. His leadership qualities are expected to be especially valuable for a Lakers team that features young pieces like Dalton Knecht, Max Christie, and potentially even rookie contributors or G-League call-ups during the course of the season. He also figures to be an ideal mentor for Jaxson Hayes, helping the athletic young big man understand defensive rotations, screen-setting angles, and the nuances of big-man play in the modern NBA.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has often spoken about the importance of championship DNA when constructing a contender. With this in mind, the Horford signing echoes previous Lakers strategies of bringing in proven veterans to shore up their playoff aspirations. In 2020, it was Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, and Markieff Morris. In 2023, it was the midseason additions of Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell that gave them a boost. Now in 2025, Horford is being brought into the fold not to carry the team, but to anchor key second-unit minutes, provide insurance for Anthony Davis, and serve as a calming, veteran presence in high-leverage moments.
The timing of this signing also coincides with broader shifts in the Western Conference. The Denver Nuggets, long a thorn in the Lakers’ side, have suffered some roster upheaval following injuries and departures. The Golden State Warriors are retooling themselves as well, and the Minnesota Timberwolves—while young and talented—are still maturing. With the right blend of health and chemistry, the Lakers view this season as one of their best chances to make another Finals push before LeBron eventually calls it a career. Bringing in Horford is part of that all-in mentality. He’s not just another name—he’s a culture-builder.
From Horford’s perspective, joining the Lakers likely offers the dual appeal of playing meaningful basketball on a high-profile team and getting another shot at capturing a ring. Despite his long and decorated career, Horford has yet to win an NBA title. In Boston, he came heartbreakingly close, and in Atlanta, he was part of a 60-win team that fell short against LeBron’s Cavaliers. The motivation to end his career with a championship remains strong, and the Lakers present a compelling opportunity, especially with their bolstered depth and renewed focus on team defense.
Horford’s presence will also allow head coach JJ Redick, in his first year at the helm, to deploy more creative rotations. Redick, a former teammate of Horford on Team USA and a close observer of his style throughout his broadcasting career, has already emphasized the importance of spacing, pace, and cerebral play. Horford fits this vision perfectly. Whether starting in spot matchups or coming off the bench to stabilize a game, he offers flexibility and versatility. The Lakers’ second unit, which often struggled to maintain momentum in recent seasons, will benefit immensely from his ability to facilitate offense from the high post and stretch defenses out to the perimeter.
Critics will naturally question Horford’s age and whether the mileage on his legs will limit his impact. While these concerns are valid, the Lakers are not expecting him to log 30 minutes a night or play all 82 games. He will be managed with load considerations, and his minutes will be tailored to maximize efficiency. What the Lakers are truly buying is peace of mind: knowing they have a reliable, playoff-tested professional ready to contribute when the stakes are highest. In that light, Horford may prove to be one of the most important under-the-radar signings of the offseason.
Additionally, this move adds another compelling subplot to the historic Celtics-Lakers rivalry. Horford, long a fixture in Boston’s locker room, now dons the jersey of their archrival. While today’s players rarely treat team allegiance as rigidly as fans do, the optics of a former Celtics leader joining the Lakers will surely stoke storylines throughout the year—especially if the two teams meet in the NBA Finals, a scenario not out of the question given Boston’s Eastern Conference dominance.
In terms of locker room impact, there are few players league-wide more universally respected than Horford. Teammates have consistently raved about his humility, work ethic, and willingness to lead by example. For a Lakers team that sometimes struggled with consistency and accountability during last season’s turbulent stretches, this sort of steady presence could be exactly what’s needed to unify the group. The Lakers have leadership in LeBron and Davis, but adding another voice of reason and calm in the locker room strengthens the entire foundation.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, the Lakers’ front office continues to build what they believe is a championship-caliber roster around their aging superstar while preparing for a future that doesn’t depend solely on LeBron. Horford may only be a one-year piece, but his impact could very well outlast his contract, especially if he plays a role in mentoring the next wave of Lakers big men. And if the chips fall right, and the Lakers find themselves playing deep into May and June, Horford’s signing might just be remembered as the glue move that brought balance, veteran know-how, and that extra dose of professionalism needed to tip the scales in LA’s favor.
Ultimately, smart franchises make smart moves, and this one is as logical as it is strategic. The Lakers didn’t break the bank, didn’t mortgage future assets, and didn’t make a desperate swing—they simply added one of the game’s most respected veterans to an already deep and focused roster. With championship dreams still burning in LA, and a legend like LeBron still in uniform, Al Horford’s presence may be the quiet catalyst that helps push the Lakers from contender to champion once again.
