The Los Angeles Lakers are building a roster around superstar Luka Doncic, who signed a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with the franchise last summer.

In a recent trade proposal by ESPN, the Lakers were connected to Doncic’s former Dallas Mavericks teammate, Daniel Gafford. In exchange for Gafford, the Mavericks would receive Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt and the No. 25 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

“He can rejoin Luka Doncic and thrive once more as a pick-and-roll partner and rim-running threat,” ESPN NBA insider Zach Kram wrote. “This deal should be a no-brainer for the Lakers, as they’d address their glaring hole at the center position — which would still exist even if Deandre Ayton exercised his option for next season — with a player who’s a proven fit next to Doncic. Gafford would certainly help the Lakers more next season than any rookie they could draft with the No. 25 pick.”

Vanderbilt is halfway through a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the Lakers, while Gafford is signed to a three-year, $60 million deal. Therefore, the trade would clear some cap space for the Mavericks.

The Lakers already tried trading Knecht in February to the Charlotte Hornets, so it is expected Los Angeles will continue exploring trade options with 2024 first-round pick.

Doncic and Gafford Made NBA Finals Appearance Together

Doncic and Gafford never played a full season together on the Mavericks. The Washington Wizards traded Gafford to the Mavericks in February 2024. Then, a year later, the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers.

But the pair reached the NBA Finals in 2024 and could bring that same success to the Lakers if Gafford is traded. During that season, Gafford led the NBA in field-goal percentage, shooting 72.5% across 74 games.

This season, the 6-foot-10 forward averaged 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 65.5% from the field in 55 games with Dallas.

Gafford struggled with a lingering ankle injury all season after spraining it on the opening day of training camp. The injury caused him to miss all of training camp, preseason games and the first five games of the regular season. Then, he missed final four games of the season with a right shoulder impingement.

Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

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