Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors, Lakers news, Lakers top trade targets, NBA trade deadline, NBA trade rumors, Luka Doncic, Daniel Gafford, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Robert Williams, Herb Jones, Jonathan Kuminga, Jaren Jackson Jr., JJ Redick, Lakers trade news, Lakers trade deadline, Rich Paul comments
Getty
The Los Angeles Lakers have long been eyeing a few trade targets, but one player stands out as their best fit before the NBA trade deadline.
With only a few weeks before the February 5th NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers have yet to make a move, despite being linked to several targets to fix their major struggles on the defensive end of the floor.
All signs point to the Lakers making a deal before the deadline, but as time hasgone on, some of their targetsare either unavailable or out of reachbased on the assets they can use in a trade.
Yet still, one player Los Angeles has been linked to for a long time remains on the trade market. While he might carry a high price tag,the team was recently urged to make the bold move for an athletic big man with experience playing alongside Luka Doncic: Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks.
With the recent report from Marc Stein that Dallasis listening to trade calls for some of their other players, the idea of the Lakers pouncing on Gafford remains a possibility. They’ve had their eyes on him for a while, and he could be the difference for the team’s playoff hopes.
Lakers Urged To Trade For Daniel Gafford
Gafford’s numbers are a bit down compared to years past, but that could be good news for Los Angeles if they are hopeful about adding the 27-year-old before the deadline.
Writing for Bleacher Report, Andy Bailey outlined a trade idea that would see the Lakers add their long-time trade target from the Mavericks.
**Los Angeles Lakers Receive:**Daniel Gafford and a 2029 second-round pick from Utah
Dallas Mavericks Receive:Gabe Vincent and a top-five protected 2031 first-round pick from L.A.
Utah Jazz Receive:Dalton Knecht and Dante Exum
Cutting ties with Vincent and Knecht, as well as a pick, isn’t thebiggest price tag for the potential upside a player like Gafford could bring to this current roster.
“Daniel Gafford, one of Dončić’s centers in Dallas certainly fits that bill,” Bailey wrote on his trade idea, considering the Lakers’biggest needs right now. “Rim runners can feast as Luka’s lob threats. If they can cover for Dončić’s defensive struggles, even better.”
Gaffordis set to make an average of roughly $18 million over the next three years, and while that makes DeAndre Ayton’s contract look even more like a steal, adding him to the frontcourt rotation could provide for a devastating closing lineup for JJ Redick.
Onebig reasonwhy this tradewouldn’t happen is the two teamsinvolved. After trading Doncic a year ago, it is fair to say Dallas would be reluctant to do any more deals with the Lakers. However, as they are hearing offers for Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, and Klay Thompson, if the price is right,their previous blunder might not be taken into consideration.
Lakers Trade Rumors, Potential Top Targets
Los Angeles has alsolong beenlinked toHerb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans. However, the team has shown no signs of taking the relatively limited trade package the Lakers have to offer, and if they do choose to move the 3-and-D wing, it would likely come at a higher price tag to a team willing to give up a lot more for the 27-year-old.
Additionally, the Lakers were in talks about trading for Jonathan Kuminga tobe used in a similar role, but according to insider Brett Siegel, the Golden State Warriors also aren’t interested in what Los Angeles was willing to offer for him.
Brett Siegel
Multiple league sources tell @ClutchPoints that there are no active, ongoing discussions between the Warriors and Lakers regarding Jonathan Kuminga.
The Lakers do hold interest in Kuminga, but the Warriors have made it clear LA has nothing of value to them.
There is no offer.
Instead, the Lakers appear to be pivoting to either a smaller-value player, likely a big man, before the deadline. Robert Williams has been named a consistent target for the team, and with his value relatively low, they could package together Knecht and another asset, whether that’s Rui Hachimura or their available second-round pick, to land the former All-Defensive center.
In what would be a surprising move for one of the biggest names of the trade deadline, the Lakers were also named a realistic landing spot for Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies. The team has reportedly been interested in moving him and Ja Morant, and while Los Angeles would have to send back a massive package for the $200+ million big man, he could also become a season-changing addition next to Doncic.
LeBron James‘ agent, Rich Paul, threw out the viral (and wild) idea of the Lakers trading Austin Reaves for Jackson, a move that sparked massive controversy around the league and within the Southern California team’s locker room. It would be a big swing, but one that could prove beneficial considering his defensive upside.
For now, though, the Lakers have remained quiet at the deadline.There is an expectation that Hachimura, Knecht, Vincent, and Maxi Kleber couldbe traded, but a deal involving any of them would likelycome for a mid-level player to help sure up the team’s defense for a playoff run.