On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a two-year deal with Deandre Ayton, per ESPN's Shams Charania. He now reports that they're retaining free-agent center Jaxson Hayes.
The six-year veteran has spent the last two seasons with the purple and gold. He averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and nearly 1.0 blocks per game in the 2024-25 campaign. Hayes also shot a career-high 72.2 percent from the field.
The Lakers' acquisition of two centers in consecutive days seems like a signal that Al Horford isn't joining them.
Based on a recent report from ESPN's Brian Windhorst, that would leave two options.
What's next for Al Horford?
Appearing on NBA Today, Windhorst expressed his belief that Horford is deciding between the Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and retirement.
In an ideal world, the 18-year veteran re-signs with the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, entering what looks like a gap year, that seems unlikely.
As previously examined, it's hard to believe Horford, 39, retires despite a desire to continue playing and the ability to still be effective at both ends of the floor.
The former Florida Gator averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and nearly 1.0 blocks per contest last season. He also made 36.3 percent of the 5.2 threes he attempted.
If he's not retiring or going to the Lakers, that leaves Golden State. The Warriors already felt like the favorite. Los Angeles signing Hayes after acquiring Ayton doesn't seem like a positive indication about the prospect of Horford taking his talents to Tinseltown.
With the Warriors, he could form an impressive and versatile defensive duo with Draymond Green. Offensively, the five-time All-Star would help Golden State's need for more firepower. He'd give the team a floor-spacing center with facilitating chops.
He's also a great mentor for the younger players on the roster. Second-year center Quinten Post would figure to be among the primary beneficiaries.
Fans in Boston can hold out hope that he is wearing Celtics green next season. After the first round of the NBA Draft, Brad Stevens conveyed that the team prioritized keeping Horford and Kornet.
"There's no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back," stated Stevens. "Those guys are huge parts of this organization. They're going to have, I'm sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that's well deserved, but I think that would be a priority. At the same time, I don't want to put pressure on them. It's their call ultimately, but yeah, we would love to have those guys back."
Kornet is now with the San Antonio Spurs. He agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with them shortly after free agency began. As the Celtics continue feeling the wrath of a punitive collective bargaining agreement, and Jayson Tatum rehabs a torn Achilles, Horford is likely headed out the door next.
These are in part the repercussions of going over the second apron the last two years; they're consequences the Celtics don't regret.