Many people expect the Los Angeles Lakers to pursue a quality center this offseason, whether they look to replace Deandre Ayton as their starting center or secure a strong backup. Ayton has a player option for next season, but given how disappointing many feel he was this season, there may not be a market for him should he opt out this summer.
One option that has been discussed for a while is going after Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks. He fits the profile of the center the Lakers ideally want: one who can run the floor, rebound, block shots and be a lob threat alongside Luka Doncic.
A recent ESPN article suggested a low-cost way for Los Angeles to acquire Gafford by sending out Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and its No. 25 pick in next month’s NBA draft.
“This deal should be a no-brainer for the Lakers, as they’d address their glaring hole at the center position — which would still exist even if Deandre Ayton exercised his option for next season — with a player who’s a proven fit next to Doncic,” wrote Zach Kram. “Gafford would certainly help the Lakers more next season than any rookie they could draft with the No. 25 pick.
“On the other side, Dallas lost a 2028 pick swap when it acquired Gafford at the 2024 trade deadline, but it could recoup some of that value and add another young player here. The Mavericks also would clear future cap space, with Gafford signed for more money and years (through the 2028-29 season) than Vanderbilt.”
Before Doncic came to the Lakers in February 2025, he spent some time with Gafford on the Mavericks. At 6-foot-10 and 265 pounds, Gafford would provide Los Angeles with a big body in the middle, and he has career averages of 9.3 points on 70.2% field-goal shooting, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 20.1 minutes a game.
At age 27, he fits Doncic’s timeline, and he also played with Rui Hachimura as a member of the Washington Wizards a few years ago. Gafford’s current contract never goes above $19 million a season, which would help L.A. retain enough salary cap flexibility to also address its need for multiple two-way wings and guards.
However, there is the big question of whether the Mavs would be willing to do another trade with the Lakers, especially one that would be perceived as a win for the Purple and Gold. Nico Harrison, the executive who engineered the deal that sent Doncic to the Lakers, was relieved of his duties in November, and Masai Ujiri, who had helped build the Toronto Raptors team that won the NBA title in 2019, is the Mavs’ new president.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: ESPN proposes low-cost trade to address Lakers’ center issues
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
