After a disastrous begin to the 2025-26 season, rumor has it that the Dallas Mavericks are open to buying and selling middle Daniel Gafford. If true, then he could be an interesting commerce goal for a lot of groups, particularly playoff groups hoping to discover a gifted large man who can go block pictures and catch alley-oops.
That’s the place the Los Angeles Lakers ought to are available. The Lakers already heisted the Mavericks’ final commerce deadline once they traded Anthony Davis and Mass Christie for Luka Doncic, and they need to return to the scene of the crime to try to purchase Gafford.
Whereas the Lakers’ middle rotation is way improved because of Deandre Ayton, they may use a 3rd large man. Gafford would match the invoice and will probably substitute Jaxson Hayes within the rotation, giving them a stable increase and solidifying their weakest place.
The Los Angeles Lakers must be excited about Daniel Gafford
That might show to be a wise transfer given what number of gifted facilities there are within the Western Convention. From Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun, Victor Wembanyama, and the aforementioned Davis, the Lakers want as many expert large males as doable to make sure they’ve a solution to these stars.
Whereas many Mavs followers are doubtless towards the thought of one other commerce with the Lakers, the Mavericks is likely to be prepared to hear to a different deal. In spite of everything, Dallas has a really top-heavy entrance court docket rotation with Gafford, Davis, Derek Vigorous, and Cooper Flagg.
Whereas Flagg has performed level guard this season, given how disastrous that has gone for Dallas, he could also be reverting again to energy ahead within the close to future. That will increase the necessity to clear up enjoying time for him there, and Gafford minutes could also be moved in consequence.
What would a commerce for Daniel Gafford appear like for the Lakers?
One potential commerce bundle might see the Lakers ship out former Mavs large man Maxi Kleber, in addition to 2024 first-round choice Dalton Knecht and a 2032 second-round choose for Gafford. Which may not be what Mavs followers would anticipate so far as return worth.
However, it would really be interesting to Dallas contemplating they’re solely round $3 million underneath the second apron this season. This transfer would not save them wage this season, however Gafford has $44.2 million remaining on his contract over the following three seasons.
This deal might save them round $40 million throughout that span, serving to them improve their monetary flexibility to construct round Flagg. Finally, if the Mavericks are recreation, then the Lakers should not hesitate to shore up their middle rotation by touchdown Gafford.
