Daniel Gafford Is On The Block And The Lakers Are About To Make A Move

Alright Seattle, it’s NBA Draft Day 2026 and the league is already WILD! Giannis Antetokounmpo finally got traded to the Miami Heat, and you know what that means: more chaos is coming down the pipe, fast. Get ready, because the Lakers, fresh off a totally disappointing Round 2 playoff exit to the Oklahoma City Thunder, are absolutely desperate to fix things. And guess what? A familiar face, a former Luka Doncic teammate, just hit the trade block, and it could be exactly what they need to keep their superstar happy.

Mavs Are Shopping Their Starting Center?!

Can you believe the news?! ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel dropped a bomb on Monday: the Dallas Mavericks are taking calls on their 27-year-old starting center, Daniel Gafford. Siegel reported that the Mavs are actively shopping Gafford, hoping to package him with their 30th pick to jump into the top 20 of tonight's draft. Don't forget, Dallas also holds the ninth pick, so they're looking to make some serious moves. This isn't just a casual chat either, they've been trying to make this jump for the last week, according to Siegel. If the Mavs can't make that happen, that's where the Lakers could absolutely swoop in.

Why Gafford is Exactly What Los Angeles Needs

Look, the Lakers have HUGE questions t

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his offseason. LeBron James’ future is still dominating headlines, but the real focus has to be building a winning team around Luka Doncic. If they fail to surround him with players he's comfortable with, his own future with the franchise could come into question. That's a disaster. This is where Gafford comes in. He and Doncic already have tremendous chemistry from their full year playing together, and their play styles are a perfect fit. Luka’s generational playmaking combined with Gafford as an elite lob threat made them a dynamic duo, especially during the Mavs' 2024 NBA Finals run. Plus, Gafford is a fantastic paint protector, a massive upgrade over current Lakers centers DeAndre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, who are both free agents this offseason. While Ayton might be slightly better offensively, Gafford's defensive presence makes him a far more valuable piece. So, what’s the play tonight? Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka could make a savvy move. If they can land Gafford and the 30th pick from the Mavericks for their 25th pick, that’s a home run. Even if Dallas won't part with pick 30, offering pick 25 straight up for Gafford would still be a great deal for Los Angeles to fill a major roster need. Tonight is going to be wild, folks! Let's see if the Lakers make the move that could redefine their season before it even starts.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.