The Los Angeles Lakers have enjoyed a solid start to the season. Following a tough loss against the Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers came away with an emphatic 121-111 win against the Charlotte Hornets to improve to 8-3, placing them fourth in the Western Conference standings.
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves leading the way, the Purple and Gold have been in stellar form, even in the absence of LeBron James. While this could be the sign of them realizing their potential as title contenders, some room for improvement remains.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley noted that the Lakers are on track to become a contender. But roster shortcomings, primarily associated with their frontcourt, could prevent them from securing their position among the top teams in the West.
On this note, Buckley proposed that the Lakers attempt to acquire a player to pair with Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford.
Buckley noted why Gafford would be the ideal fit next to Doncic by claiming: “Ayton’s play has been up-and-down, and he isn’t the kind of spring-loaded rim-runner who would work best with Dončić and other downhill playmakers like James and Austin Reaves.”
“Gafford clearly is that kind of player, though,” he continued. “And the Lakers already know he can thrive with Dončić, as the two started alongside one another on the Dallas Mavericks’ 2023-24 Finals team.”
Gafford was heavily linked with the Lakers in the summer, though no deal went through due to Dallas’ previous negotiations with Los Angeles. While this does pose a challenge moving forward as well, the significant personnel changes in the organization, including Nico Harrison’s dismissal, may open new doors for the Purple and Gold.
How Can The Lakers Acquire Daniel Gafford?
On paper, Daniel Gafford would be the ideal backup center for the Lakers. In six games this season, he is averaging 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game on 61.8% shooting from the field.
His athleticism, rebounding, and defensive presence in the paint match Los Angeles’ criteria, too. However, acquiring him presents a minor challenge.
Gafford signed a four-year, $54.4 million extension with the Mavericks. This season, he is due to earn $14.3 million. Based on this framework, a potential trade package from the Lakers could include Jarred Vanderbilt or Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, and the 2032 second-round pick.
While this has merit, the Mavericks may not be as inclined to acquire Vanderbilt, who has three years left on his contract. Knecht, given his limited production this season, is largely viewed as a negative asset. On this note, Vincent may still garner some interest due to his status as an expiring contract, along with his two-way potential and playmaking upside.
Another potential trade scenario could see the Lakers part with Austin Reaves to acquire Gafford, some player assets, and potentially bring back their 2029 first-round pick. But considering Reaves’ strong performance thus far, there appears to be no reason for Los Angeles to consider such a move.
On this note, Buckley suggested something a little more extreme.
While aligning with recent rumors, Buckley presented the possibility of a major trade sending LeBron James to the Mavericks, which would simultaneously bring Gafford over to the Lakers with additional assets.
Although rumors about James potentially being linked with Dallas have been floating around lately, a trade of this nature, while monumental, seems highly unlikely.
Acquiring the 40-year-old superstar would leave the Mavs in a vulnerable state, especially with several key rotation pieces and draft picks on the way out. Considering that the team already has two injured stars in Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, asking James and Cooper Flagg to do the heavy lifting in their absence would also seem counterproductive.
Should The Lakers Pursue Such A Trade?
While Buckley’s report projects some merit in acquiring Daniel Gafford, at the current juncture, it may not be in the Lakers’ best interests.
Although Los Angeles has faced some inconsistent contributions from their big man rotation, both Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes have been reliable. With Ayton averaging 16.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this season, he is more productive than Gafford.
To be fair, these figures are also misleading, since Gafford is returning from injury and has received limited minutes. Regardless, the Purple and Gold may not see much merit in attempting to trade for him just yet.
Only 11 games into the season, the Lakers seem to be a formidable team. Still, the grind of the regular season will likely test their depth. Should there be a glaring need for roster upgrades arise at the trade deadline, revisiting a trade for Gafford may be wiser.
