The Los Angeles Lakers have been tearing it up this offseason, making moves left and right, but don’t kid yourself, their work isn’t done. Losing some key starters from last year means they’ve got some glaring holes to fill, and adding another big man to shore up that frontcourt is still priority number one. We’ve been hearing it all summer, right? “The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men,” according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, citing team sources. They already brought in Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney at center, and Mamukelashvili can play there too. But the buzz is real, they’re looking for more, either through a trade or a signing, maybe even a guy like Thybulle. The roster is jam-packed right now, so any incoming talent means someone’s gotta go.
One name that keeps popping up, and honestly, it makes a ton of sense, is Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford. NBA insider Brett Siegel spilled the tea, saying Gafford has been “available all offseason.” Remember Gafford? He and Luka Doncic were a force, helping Dallas punch their ticket to the NBA Finals together. That built-in chemistry with Doncic is exactly why he’s such an intriguing trade target for the Lakers, especially as they hunt for some much-needed frontcourt depth. Imagine that athletic rim-runner reunited with Luka.
So, what’s the hang-up? As always, it’s the price tag. Evan Sidery, another NBA reporter, dropped the intel: “The Mavericks’ current asking price in a trade involving Daniel Gafford is a protected 1st-round pick.” That’s a significant ask. Gafford isn’t just a rental either, he’s locked in through 2029, pulling in $18.1 million annually, which makes his total deal a hefty $54 million. The Mavs, with Dereck Lively II, Morez Johnson Jr., and Moussa Cissé in their big rotation, are clearly ready to move on. Interestingly, the Lakers have also been linked to Gafford’s teammate, P.J. Washington. Even though Gafford’s getting all the trade buzz, the Lakers actually have a bigger need at power forward than center. Still, absorbing Gafford’s $54 million contract is doable if they can offload some other unwanted deals. The team needs to trim its roster anyway, so a move for Gafford could actually kill two birds with one stone.
The clock is ticking for Los Angeles to finalize that roster. Pulling off a move for Gafford could absolutely be the kind of deal that shapes their season, tackling multiple needs with one swing. Keep your eyes peeled, because this could get wild fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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