The Los Angeles Lakers have a few needs during the offseason, and finding a center is at the top of that list. If the Lakers don't land a competent center to pair with LeBron James and Luka Doncic, they should expect similar struggles heading into next season.
After being dominated by Rudy Gobert in the playoffs, it's scary to think about what somebody like Nikola Jokic would do to the Lakers if they matched with the Denver Nuggets in the future.
For the Lakers to make a splash, there's a good chance they'll have to make a trade.
In a recent proposal from Bailey Bassett of Clutch Points, he pitched the idea of the Lakers trading with the Dallas Mavericks again. This time, it wouldn't be as surprising as the Doncic trade.
His proposal would move Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, and a 2031 first-round pick for Daniel Gafford.
“Nico Harrison and the Mavericks likely learned their lesson when it comes to trading with the Lakers. The Mavericks general manager has been heavily criticized since he traded Doncic, and that might dissuade him from dealing with the Lakers again. Then again, Harrison clearly marches to the beat of his own drum.
“Now that the Mavericks are committed to Anthony Davis, who was traded for in order to add more defense and size, the team almost has too much of an interior presence, even if Davis plays the majority of his time at power forward going forward. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively both play exclusively at the five, but they both need starter minutes,” he wrote.
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Gafford and Doncic already have a great history together, making this pairing ideal for the Lakers.
However, giving up a pick and Knecht comes with some risk, and something the Lakers need to consider.
Gafford, who averaged 12.3 points per game this season, also blocked 1.8 shots per game.
He'd add to the defensive side of the basketball for the Lakers, which is a clear need.
Only 26 years old, Gafford would give the Lakers another building block.