The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2024-25 season concluded with a disappointing first-round playoff exit, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Despite entering the postseason as the No. 3 seed, the Lakers failed to capitalize on homecourt advantage.
The midseason acquisition of Luka Doncic, intended to improve their championship aspirations, instead highlighted roster imbalances, particularly the lack of a traditional center, after including Anthony Davis in the trade. This deficiency was glaringly exposed in Game 5, where Timberwolves’ center Rudy Gobert dominated with 27 points and 24 rebounds, exploiting the Lakers’ undersized lineup.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77)Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
In the wake of this elimination, attention has turned to potential offseason moves to address these shortcomings. One name emerging in discussions is Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford.
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ESPN’s Tim MacMahon recently reported, “Daniel Gafford is entering the final year of his contract. Gafford reasonably and rightly wants to get starting center money. You can’t have AD on a max, Lively on a big contract and pay Gafford starting center money.”
With the Mavericks already invested in young center Dereck Lively II, Gafford’s future in Dallas appears uncertain. MacMahon noted that the Mavericks had previously explored Gafford’s trade value and might revisit such considerations this summer
The Lakers, in dire need of a reliable presence in the frontcourt, could be a suitable destination for Gafford. His athleticism, rim protection, and pick-and-roll proficiency would complement Doncic’s playmaking abilities, potentially recreating the synergy they shared during their time together in Dallas.
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“By gawd, that’s Los Angeles Lakers music,” Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic wrote on X.
Others on X shared this same prediction.
“Lakers should go get him; Dallas already has Lively,” one fan wrote.
“He’s Luka’s teammate again soon,” another fan mentioned.
“Please get him to LA,” a third fan added.
“Luka needs a lob buddy,” another fan posted.
As the Lakers strategize for the upcoming season, acquiring a player like Gafford could address their glaring need for interior defense and rebounding. Such a move would not only fortify their frontcourt but also enhance their competitiveness in a Western Conference that could potentially get tougher next season.
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