The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the top teams in the Western Conference, and their strong start may motivate the front office to become more aggressive ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
The Lakers have gone 7-3 to start the season despite a run of injuries to key players.
Among those who have been injured at some point through 10 games are Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James (who has yet to play at all), Gabe Vincent, and Jaxson Hayes, all of whom occupy an essential part of the rotation.
At different points, Reaves and Doncic have taken on individual efforts that have powered the Lakers to wins, all while the team has not been at full strength.
With Doncic healthy once again, Reaves supposedly getting close to returning from a groin injury, and LeBron James nearing his debut this season, the Lakers could be on the verge of a serious push during the first half of the season.
Reaves and Doncic are playing some of their best basketball, while James has been given an extended amount of rest.
If they continue to win, the Lakers could end up exploring the trade market for reinforcements. According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, there is a name they are monitoring.
“One quick, small bit of intel revolves around the Dallas Mavericks’ slow start leading to teams wondering if they make roster changes before the trade deadline,” Siegel wrote on X.
“Several teams continue to monitor Daniel Gafford, including the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told @ClutchPoints.”
The Lakers were heavily linked to Gafford over the offseason due to their need for a center. Gafford ended up signing a contract extension, and then the Lakers signed Deandre Ayton following his buyout.
While Ayton has started to settle in, Gafford would give an upgrade over Hayes, the current backup center, while potentially covering the team in case the former Phoenix Suns big man goes through a poor run of games.
Los Angeles has the salary to afford a trade for Gafford, though it comes down to how much they are willing to part with for a co-starting center.
Something to keep in mind is that Luka Doncic thrived when playing alongside Gafford in Dallas, and his voice could potentially increase the Lakers’ desire to finalize a deal.
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