Daniel Gafford is a center that’s been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers since the organization’s unexpected early-2025 blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic.
Although the Lakers failed to swing a trade for Doncic’s former Mavericks teammate before last year’s Feb. 6 trade deadline, he remained an ideal big man trade target for Los Angeles heading into the 2025 offseason. As we all know, the Lakers opted to sign Deandre Ayton to anchor their frontcourt, which didn’t work out terribly well this season.
Gafford would undoubtedly be a viable replacement for Ayton in Los Angeles, and based on a recent trade report, it’s far from an unrealistic scenario.
“Daniel Gafford is another name to monitor on the trade market as the Mavericks prioritize the long-term future,” NBA analyst Jake Weinbach wrote on X/Twitter Saturday.
“Gafford, who signed a three-year, $54.3 million extension with Dallas last summer, would be an attractive piece for any team in need of an affordable starting-level center.”
There’s no question the Lakers are in the business for a starting-caliber center who wouldn’t require them to break the bank to acquire him. Gafford makes sense for the 17-time NBA champions for various reasons: the Arkansas product already understands what it takes to be highly effective alongside Doncic, runs the floor well in transition, and never lacks energy on either end of the floor.
Gafford averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks with the Mavericks this season, shooting 65.5% from the field in 55 contests. Poaching Gafford from Dallas this summer is too logical a move not to occur.
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