Luka Doncic, Lakers trade, Daniel Gafford, Mavericks, Luka Doncic trade
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after being hit in the stomach area by Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) last in the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 9, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
The Dallas Mavericks reportedly have no intention to do business with the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, a year after they moved ex-franchise star Luka Doncic to the Purple & Gold franchise. The news could prove to be a roadblock in the Lakers’ trade pursuit of athletic center Daniel Gafford.
Per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Lakers are more likely to make “a very small move” using the contracts of Gobe Vincent or Maxi Kleber, as doing so would allow them to maintain their cap flexibility for 2026 and 2027.
“One player on the Lakers’ target list who is worth mentioning is Daniel Gafford, but it’s very hard to envision Dallas actually making this deal one year after sending Luka to Hollywood,” Siegel reported on Dec. 12.
Gafford, who was the Mavericks’ starting center during their 2024 NBA Finals run, is signed on a long-term contract that runs through the 2028-29 season.
Lakers Trade Target: Daniel Gafford
The 27-year-old Gafford developed a close bond with Luka Doncic during their only season together as members of the Mavericks. Gafford served as Doncic’s primary pick-and-roll partner and helped shore up Dallas’ defense with his elite rim protection.
Gafford, whose cap-friendly, three-year, $54M extension kicks in next season, is widely coveted around the league, per multiple insiders. Per insider Tim Cato, Gafford is expected to generate the “most robust trade market” among any Mavericks player, even more so than Anthony Davis, who is unlikely to be moved due to his recent injury.
The Mavericks reportedly plan to cash in on Gafford’s high trade value, per ESPN’s Shams Charania, with the franchise actively shopping him ahead of the deadline. Besides the Lakers, teams such as the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors have reportedly emerged as suitors for Gafford.
Lakers Trade Deadline Plans
The Lakers, who rank 24th in defense, can’t be blamed for pursuing Gafford.
While Deandre Ayton, shooting a career-high 68% from the field, has been a decent offensive weapon for JJ Redick, his defense and rim protection have been servicable at best. With Ayton on the floor, the Lakers rank 15th in opponent paint points allowed (50.8) and a mediocre 28th in pick-and-roll opponent field goal percentage (.583). The latter is a huge problem for the Lakers, as Ayton hasn’t proven to be a reliable backline defender when one of his teammates gets blown by in pick-and-roll situations.
While Gafford isn’t nearly as offensively gifted as Ayton, he’s a significantly better pick-and-roll defender and rim protector, and would be a huge upgrade for the Lakers. Furthermore, he’s the exact lob threat that Luka Doncic thrives next to, and their past experience of playing together would also help Redick’s team.
Besides Gafford, the Lakers are reportedly targeting New Orleans Pelicans‘ Herbert Jones, Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis and Miami Heat’s Andrew Wiggins ahead of the NBA trade deadline. While the Pelicans have little interest in moving Jones, per multiple insiders, Wiggins and Ellis could be available for the right price.