Why Daniel Gafford is an intriguing, familiar option for Lakers

Despite Daniel Gafford signing a new deal with the Mavericks, he remains a player the Lakers should consider pursuing this summer.

With the need for a center being the big, looming question over the summer for the Lakers, we’ll be taking a look at a number of potential targets, both via free agency or trade. Today, we continue with Daniel Gafford.

Gafford is six years into his NBA career and has carved himself a space in this league. He might not have the biggest upside, but when he’s on the floor, he is as reliable as a Casio watch.

He’ll score in double figures, grab a handful of rebounds and hold his own defensively in the paint.

Like a Casio watch, nothing about Gafford’s game is particularly exciting or a standard you aspire for all your players to have.

However, roster construction is all about finding guys to fit your team and Gafford is big Los Angeles could benefit from having.

How would he fit with the Lakers?

The question Los Angeles must ask regarding any big they are looking at is whether this player fits with Luka Dončić.

When it comes to Gafford, we already know the answer is yes.

Luka was asked about the Mavs trading for Gafford before the trade deadline in 2024, and he made it clear he had a conversation with the front office regarding the new signings and also praised Gafford’s game.

“They [Dallas management] talked to me,” Luka said. “Gafford is a really good lob threat. He can block shots, too, pretty good. He can protect us in the paint.”

It turns out Luka’s assessment was right on target. Gafford averaged 1.9 blocks with the Mavs that season and Luka assisted on 58 of his 117 made field goals.

During their 2023-24 playoff run, Gafford started every postseason game alongside Luka as the Mavericks advanced all the way to the NBA Finals.

A reunion with these two seems like a match made in heaven.

How much would the Lakers have to give up?

Gafford wasted no time securing his money this summer. He signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension with Dallas.

This deal doesn’t necessarily take him off the market. The $54 million contract comes in at a very specific point where it’s the maximum the Mavs can trade him while he’s still trade-eligible this offseason.

That feels very intentional.

Even before this deal was signed, reports indicated the Lakers might have to overpay in a potential Gafford trade. This new contract doesn’t make a trade any easier for Los Angeles.

So, if they really want to get Gafford, the Lakers better be ready to offer any player not named Luka and LeBron James, as well as all draft capital possible.

We don’t know the climate inside the Mavericks’ front office, but it’s also fair to wonder if they’d even want to do a deal with the Lakers, considering how the Luka trade was received by Dallas fans, and rightfully so.

How realistic of a target is he?

While the fit seems good and his new deal isn’t bad, it’s hard to imagine Gafford heading to Southern California.

It’s only likely to happen if L.A. is focused on acquiring him and will make Nico an offer he can’t refuse. While that’s certainly still a possibility, selling everything you have for Gafford likely isn’t the move that takes the Lakers from a first-round exit to an NBA title.

Still, the fit is intriguing and the fact that he signed for less and can still be traded means the Lakers front office should call the Mavericks and see where they are at.

The Lakers said they would explore “every single unturned stone” to add a center to the roster, so until they get a hard no, it’s worth pursuing a reunion with Luka’s former starting big.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.