As a whole, the Los Angeles Lakers‘ start to the season has gone as well as anybody could've expected.
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The Lakers seem to be one of the better teams in the NBA, and they’ve gotten some big-time contributions from multiple role players, even Deandre Ayton, who had questions about his play entering the season.
However, it’s not unfair to suggest that Ayton might not be the perfect option for the Lakers at the center position, at least as a full-time starter.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see them go out and add another center around the deadline or before, and Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley believes there’s a perfect option out there in the form of Daniel Gafford.
"Ayton’s play has been up-and-down, and he isn’t the kind of spring-loaded rim-runner who would work best with Dončić and other downhill playmakers like James and Austin Reaves.
"Gafford clearly is that kind of player, though. And the Lakers already know he can thrive with Dončić, as the two started alongside one another on the Dallas Mavericks’ 2023-24 Finals team," he wrote.
It remains uncertain what the Dallas Mavericks want to do, but after struggling to start the year, looking like one of the worst teams in the NBA with a 3-8 record and in 14th place in the Western Conference, moving on from someone like Gafford might not be the worst idea.
According to Brett Siegel, an NBA insider for ClutchPoints, teams around the league are already monitoring the situation regarding Gafford and the Mavericks.
"It is no secret that Harrison and the Mavericks’ front office will explore what return exists for Klay Thompson before the trade deadline, and several teams are monitoring Daniel Gafford’s status, sources said. The 27-year-old center recently signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension this offseason, but he remains trade eligible this season," he reported.
The Lakers and Mavericks already made one of the biggest moves in NBA history when they sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles for Anthony Davis and more. Perhaps Dallas might not want to make too many more deals with the Lakers.
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