The Los Angeles Lakers are in search of a frontcourt partner for Luka Doncic, and one possible solution could be reuniting him with a familiar face who’s already shown he fits well alongside him.
That was the idea put forward by ESPN’s Tim McMahon during the May 2 episode of the Brian Windhorst & the Hoop Collective podcast, where he suggested the Lakers explore a second trade with the Dallas Mavericks—this time targeting center Daniel Gafford after having acquired Doncic from Dallas in February in exchange for Anthony Davis.
McMahon noted that the Mavericks quietly explored Gafford’s trade value before the last deadline and may revisit that option this summer. With Derek Lively approaching extension eligibility and Gafford entering the final year of his contract, McMahon said Dallas may not be able to afford all three big men if Gafford seeks a starting-level salary. “You can’t pay Davis a max, give Lively a big contract, and also pay Gafford,” he explained.
McMahon floated a potential trade package involving Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, their available first-round pick, and possibly one or two pick swaps, in exchange for Gafford—an athletic big who could be a strong pick-and-roll partner for Doncic and anchor the defense as a rim protector.
However, such a move would likely use up most of L.A.’s trade assets unless the team was willing to part with Austin Reaves. That seems unlikely, as general manager Rob Pelinka named Reaves, along with Doncic and LeBron James, as core pieces of the franchise in his postseason remarks. Still, with Doncic eligible for an extension this offseason, the Lakers may be compelled to make bold moves to secure his long-term commitment.
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