Lakers Reportedly Evaluating NBA Free Agency, Trade Options Amid Horford, Ayton Rumors

Deandre Ayton may not be the only player the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly considering adding this offseason.

The Lakers "are still evaluating other options in free agency and via trade" in addition to Ayton, according to The Athletic's Dan Woike.

Woike and The Athletic's Sam Amick reported that Al Horford is under "serious consideration" by the Lakers:

NBA insider Chris Haynes told NBA TV on Monday that there was a "strong possibility" the Lakers would sign Ayton.

Ayton hit free agency after the Portland Trail Blazers bought out the remaining one year and $35.6 million left on his contract.

Woike's report comes shortly after ESPN's Shams Charania reported that former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner had signed a four-year, $107 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on Tuesday that the Bucks and Lakers had been "competing" to sign Ayton prior to the Turner signing.

Charania also previously reported that former Bucks starting center Brook Lopez had signed a two-year, $18 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported before Lopez went to the Clippers that the Lakers were expected by rival teams to "make a run" at signing Lopez.

Now that both Turner and Lopez have been dealt to new teams, the Lakers could turn to Ayton as one of the top veteran options at center still available on the market.

Ayton, the top pick of the 2018 draft, was limited by injuries to playing just half of the 2024-25 campaign.

When available, the 26-year-old averaged 14.4 points on 56.6 percent shooting from the field while contributing 10.2 rebounds in 40 starts.

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported on Monday that the Lakers were one of several interested teams in signing Horford, with the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers also reportedly in the mix.

Horford, who turned 39 in June, averaged 9.0 points on 42.3 percent shooting from the field and 36.3 shooting from deep while adding 6.2 rebounds through 60 games with the Boston Celtics last season.

The Lakers have had a relatively quiet offseason so far outside of LeBron James picking up his player option and Jake LaRavia replacing Dorian Finney-Smith. The franchise sat just under $6 million below the tax threshold after the LaRavia signing, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.