The weakest point of the Los Angeles Lakers' rotation is undoubtedly their frontcourt, which is likely to be addressed this offseason.
Instead of adding a big man who would need time to develop in the 2025 NBA Draft, bringing in a familiar face for one of their superstars could be beneficial. Luka Doncic is only a few months into his tenure with the Lakers after shockingly being traded by the Dallas Mavericks.
Emotions are seemingly still high for Doncic, as he was brought to tears moments before tip-off against his former team. Trading for Mavericks center Daniel Gafford this offseason could bring a feeling of home to Los Angeles. FanSided's Maxwell Ogden predicts the Lakers to do exactly that.
"Los Angeles has the contracts to make it work, but it would cost them a quality player," Ogden wrote. "They'd likely need to give up either Jarred Vanderbilt or Gabe Vincent, who could be packaged with a smaller contract to get the deal over the finish line from a financial perspective."
While Vanderbilt and Vincent are valuable contributors to the Lakers' rotation, it cannot compare to the frontcourt strength and familiarity Gafford would bring. He averaged 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds on 70.2% shooting in 57 games in 2025. During the Mavericks' 2024 NBA Finals run, the chemistry between Doncic, Gafford, and Dereck Lively II was unmatched.
"It's unclear how eager the Mavericks would be to trade Gafford, but if the opportunity exists, the Lakers should reunite Doncic with his former lob target this offseason," Ogden concluded.
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If there is one aspect of this proposed trade that's crucial, it's Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison not being fleeced by the Lakers once again. Finding a fair return for Gafford is a must if Dallas is even willing to do business with L.A.
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