The Los Angeles Lakers, sitting at 29–19, are surrounded by major rumors ahead of the NBA trade deadline. There are discussions involving LeBron James, Dalton Knecht’s trade request, and concerns about how to properly build a team around Luka Dončić.
While these are key, there was a proposal involving Daniel Gafford makes a lot of sense.
The last time the Dallas Mavericks and Lakers worked together, it resulted in the Dončić trade. Now, Bleacher Report has floated a proposal suggesting that the Lakers’ future center could once again come from Dallas.
Let’s break down why a Gafford-to-Los Angeles trade makes sense, whether it’s realistic, and if there are other center options that might better fit JJ Redick’s team.
Daniel Gafford to the Lakers Trade Proposal
Lakers receive: Daniel Gafford and a 2029 second-round pick from Utah
Mavericks receive: Gabe Vincent and a top-five protected 2031 first-round pick from L.A.
Jazz receive: Dalton Knecht and Dante Exum
“The Lakers should probably only consider giving up any assets if Giannis is traded elsewhere (if not, they might save everything to chase him this summer). Daniel Gafford, one of Dončić’s centers in Dallas certainly fits that bill. Rim runners can feast as Luka’s lob threats. If they can cover for Dončić’s defensive struggles, even better.
For the Mavericks, this deal nets them a first-round pick for a center who doesn’t fit Cooper Flagg’s timeline, gets them a contract that will come off the books this summer in Gabe Vincent, saves them over $5 million in salary and gets them to within around $10 million of ducking the tax.” – Bleacher Report Analyst Andy Bailey.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this idea is that the move is loosely connected to a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade scenario. Personally, I don’t think it’s far-fetched for the Lakers to eventually make a move to acquire Antetokounmpo and pair him with Dončić. Building around Dončić and Austin Reaves as the two best players may not be a championship formula, but building around Doncic and Antetokounmpo would arguably create the best duo in the NBA.
A potential mega trade for Antetokounmpo could solve questions three and four, but it would still leave uncertainty about the center position long-term.
This Gafford trade proposal would give the Lakers a clear answer at center. It would allow them to rely on two quality centers rather than one star at the position.
Gafford’s rim protection, lob threat ability, and prior connection with Dončić from their Dallas days make this an ideal fit. In this proposal, Los Angeles is not giving up anything drastic. Knecht has already requested a trade, Vincent is a role player, and the 2031 first-round pick is heavily protected. Other potential targets for the Lakers could include Nic Claxton or Walker Kessler during the 2026 NBA offseason, but if they are looking for an immediate solution, this proposal is far from a bad option.
If the Lakers are serious about winning an NBA Championship, they need to trade Dalton Knecht (even though I believe he’s a young star) and they need to make a major splash.
