Over the course of the NBA offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers were busy trying to find an upgrade at the center position, with Jaxson Hayes not exactly cutting it as the starter, as he was non-existent during the team’s short run in the NBA playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Ultimately, the Lakers got lucky, as the Portland Trail Blazers bought out Deandre Ayton’s contract, making him a free agent and allowing him to sign with Los Angeles. Neither side hesitated as they quickly reached a deal, which addressed the void in the paint.
Even though Ayton has been better than expected during his time with the Lakers thus far, the team still has a need in the frontcourt and could use another formidable big man on the roster.
Lakers to Target Daniel Gafford?
The 2025-26 NBA season has not gone as planned for the Dallas Mavericks, as the injuries have started to pile up once again, along with the losses. Dallas has a record of 10-16.
Even though the team has won five out of its last six games, with big wins over the Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, and Houston Rockets, there’s been a lot of speculation about the team blowing up the roster ahead of the NBA trade deadline, with the goal being to build around rookie star Cooper Flagg.
That said, there could be a fire sale in Dallas with some notable players potentially trading block like Daniel Gafford, who has a contract worth $54,380,290 with the Mavericks. He could be an ideal addition to the Lakers roster, as Kendrick E. Johnson of PFSN points out,
“Gafford has been a trade target of the Lakers since last year’s trade deadline, as many in the organization believe his physical presence and the fact that he was at his best when paired with Dončić during the Mavs’ 2024 Finals run could greatly benefit the team come playoff time.”
The combination of Gafford and Ayton would be a game-changer for the Lakers. Ayton would likely remain the starter with Gafford coming off the bench in the same way he has in Dallas with Dereck Lively.
Although Gafford has had his fair share of injury problems, currently dealing with an ankle injury, he already has some chemistry with Luka Dončić. He could take his game to another level as a sixth man in Los Angeles.
In 15 games played so far this season, Gafford is averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game, shooting 61 percent from the field and 79.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Obviously, it all depends on whether the Mavericks want to make moves ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline or if they even want to make another move with the Lakers after all the backlash from the Dončić trade, which put them in their current position.
