Rob Pelinka’s offseason playbook has taken on a new level of urgency as the Lakers continue their push to lock down a starting center. According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, “Pelinka said the Lakers have been ‘super active’ in calls as they ‘turn over every stone’ in hunt for C. Focus turns from draft to free agency and we won’t rest until we get it right.” The margin for error here is thin, Los Angeles has just $8.25 million left in its mid-level exception after signing Jake LaRavia, and the clock is ticking to secure a starting-caliber big.

That intent showed up on draft night, when the Lakers picked up 7’1” Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner, a three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year with legitimate rim protection upside. But he’s not expected to start immediately. The focus has instead shifted to trade and free agency markets, with players like Nic Claxton, Walker Kessler, and Daniel Gafford emerging as targets. Each brings the kind of mobility, length, and youth the Lakers are prioritizing, players who can grow with Dončić and offer stability as LeBron enters the twilight of his career. Pelinka isn’t chasing big names this time; he’s chasing long-term fit. Still, that hasn’t stopped speculation around veteran names from picking up steam. 

One of the more persistent rumors has centered around Al Horford, whose contract expired this summer and who many believe could slot in as a temporary solution at the five. The buzz grew louder after reports surfaced tying him loosely to both the Lakers and Warriors, prompting questions about whether Pelinka might consider a short-term patch after all. Here’s what Lakers insider Jovan Buha has learned about how one of the most talked-about names fits into that vision—or why he doesn’t.

The Al Horford rumors gained some traction after The Athletic loosely linked his name to the Lakers, but Jovan Buha was quick to pour cold water on it. “The Lakers were linked to Al Horford today by The Athletic and that’s a name I had heard at times going into free agency, but I haven’t gotten the sense that that really has much legs behind it.” he said in the latest video of his YouTube channel. That distinction matters. Buha didn’t deny Horford’s name had circulated—but the tone was clear: this was never a name that triggered meaningful internal discussions or escalated beyond surface-level exploration. Instead, Buha pointed to where the momentum around Horford actually lies.

 “Really the word since yesterday has been Horford is likely going to Golden State. So that’s how I expect that to play out,” he added, noting that this move would likely take the Warriors out of contention for Deandre Ayton. Golden State was listed as an active suitor following Kevon Looney’s departure. With Draymond Green still anchoring their defense and the front office leaning toward short-term veteran fits, Horford’s shooting and playoff experience give the Warriors a stretch-five option without committing long-term. From L.A.’s side, this movement effectively takes another competitor out of the free-agent center sweepstakes, but goes on to reaffirm that Horford was never their target to lose. Still, the skepticism isn’t just about destination, it’s about fit.

“I don’t see a scenario in which he’s a starting Center,” Buha said. “I think that would just be a mistake with this situation if they have a 39YO Al… He’s slipped as a rebounder, slipped as a rim protector, 39YO.” Horford averaged 6.5 rebounds last season, the lowest since his rookie year, and ranked in the 38th percentile for rim defense. While he remains a capable floor-spacer, the Lakers’ needs are much more interior-focused. Horford just isn’t built for that job anymore. 

“I think he’s more like a 20 minute a night guy at this point and should be a backup,” Buha concluded. That’s not a dismissal of Horford’s value—it’s a reflection of where he is in his career. And given Pelinka’s stated focus on long-term fit and upward trajectory, it’s no surprise Horford doesn’t align. At best, he was a fallback. At worst, an assumption built more on his name than his current impact. While the roster itself remains in flux, the internal hierarchy is already changing, and LeBron James is no longer at the top of it.

A quiet power shift inside the Lakers’ front office

There was no formal announcement, but the power dynamic in Los Angeles has shifted, and LeBron James is no longer at the center of it. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers didn’t initiate any conversations about a multi-year deal with LeBron this summer. “They just let him sit back and pick up his option or decline his option,” she said, calling it “a statement, even though they didn’t make a statement.” It’s a move that would’ve been unthinkable even a year ago, and it signals a sharp change in how the franchise sees its priorities.

That shift has also shaped their personnel strategy. Buha reported that the Lakers have been targeting “young and athletic Centers,” rather than stopgap veterans. There’s no push to build around LeBron’s final years—just a deliberate turn toward a future centered on Luka Dončić. “For the first time in 23 years, he’s not the franchise player,” Brian Windhorst said, highlighting a reality that’s now reflected in how L.A. moves. LeBron remains the face of the team, but he’s no longer the force behind it.