The Golden State Warriors are reportedly eyeing a surprising trade target this offseason, Daniel Gafford, a player already on the Los Angeles Lakers’ radar and a name expected to hit the market due to the Dallas Mavericks‘ frontcourt logjam.
As Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley explained, Gafford’s elite rim protection, rebounding, and vertical athleticism make him a perfect fit for a Warriors squad desperate to fix its size issues after being bullied in the paint by the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Golden State relied heavily on Draymond Green at center in their small-ball lineups, but the lack of a true interior presence was glaring against teams with dominant bigs. While Quinten Post gave them spacing when he hit shots, his inconsistency left the Warriors exposed defensively.
Gafford, on the other hand, brings the opposite skillset, an elite rim-runner and shot-blocker who doesn’t stretch the floor but dominates inside. He has averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks on an absurd 70.2 percent shooting from the field, and ranked among the league’s top 10 in blocks per game, despite playing fewer than 25 minutes per night.
His availability stems from the Mavericks’ crowded frontcourt. With Anthony Davis entrenched at power forward, Dereck Lively II developing as a long-term piece, and Cooper Flagg set to arrive as the No. 1 overall pick, there’s simply not enough room for Gafford. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison is now faced with the challenge of balancing a win-now roster around Davis while nurturing Flagg’s development.
Trading Gafford, who is on an expiring $14.3 million contract and reportedly seeking a starter-level payday, is viewed as a logical move.
The Lakers are heavily interested as well, especially after their playoff flameout revealed glaring holes in their frontcourt. Gafford’s chemistry with Luka Doncic last season makes him an ideal addition to the Lakers’ new-look roster.
However, recent tensions between Dallas and Los Angeles following the blockbuster Luka trade may complicate talks between Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison. The Warriors, meanwhile, could swoop in as a third-party solution.
For Golden State, acquiring Gafford would provide a much-needed dose of physicality and rebounding. He wouldn’t require touches to be effective and would immediately boost the defense, something they sorely lacked in the playoffs. The Warriors still want to compete while Stephen Curry remains elite, and Gafford could be an affordable piece that helps them stay relevant.
Dallas, on the other hand, may prioritize backcourt help in any Gafford deal. With Kyrie Irving likely out until 2026, the Mavs are shopping for a shot-creating guard. If the Warriors were to offer someone like Moses Moody, along with salary filler and a protected future pick, it might be enough to tempt Dallas into avoiding another Lakers negotiation.
Ultimately, Gafford is becoming one of the most valuable trade chips on the market, a cost-controlled, playoff-tested big man with no ego and proven production. The Warriors see what the Lakers do: he’s exactly the type of center who can thrive next to elite guards like Curry or Doncic. Whether Golden State can beat the Lakers to the punch may come down to who’s willing to give up more to solve their size problem.
