The Dallas Mavericks are not the only ones reeling from Derek Lively’s out-of-season injury. The Los Angeles Lakers are also shaking significantly.
American media ‘Heavy Sports’ said, “The Lakers have become more difficult to plan to strengthen their roster in the middle of this season. Before the trade deadline, there is a growing possibility that the player who became the top target will not be on the market,” he reported.
The Lakers’ top target mentioned by the media is Daniel Gafford. However, Gafford is free from trade candidates due to Lively’s out-of-season injury.
사진 확대 Doncic and James, maybe winning this season could be the last. Photo = Clutch Point SNS
Brian Windhorst of “ESPN” recently said on his SNS, “Dallas should not think that Gafford will be traded as he has lost his main center this season.”
Dallas also can’t afford Lively’s injury out. Anthony Davis has recovered from his injury and is showing excellent performance, but he does not know when he will be injured again. Even Gafford is currently suffering an ankle injury. It is unlikely that they will use big man resources as a trade card.
The Lakers’ interest in recruiting Gafford was revealed by NBA insider Jake Fisher last November. “The Lakers are clearly looking for a player to work with (Luka) Doncic in the long term. And Gafford is a player who fits exactly.”
Even Gafford signed a three-year, $54 million extension and reportedly has no provisions restricting trade during the season. The Lakers have DeAndre Ayton. One, if Gafford was acquired, it could have been an insurance policy against the uncertainty of Ayton ahead of rotation and player options.
사진 확대 Doncic and Gafford boasted great chemistry during their time in Dallas. Photo = Basketball Forever SNS
Of course, there is a possibility that Dallas will use Gafford as a trade card even in the current situation. They are at the center of rumours that they will rebuild as a Cooper Flag-focused team. Then anyone can be traded and Gafford is among them.
However, the Lakers are not the only ones who want Gafford. The Indiana Pacers, where Miles Turner left, are also looking at Gafford to reinforce the big man.
“It looks like Indiana will find a big man in the trade market and is interested in Gafford,” Fisher said recently.
If the Lakers and Indiana compete for Gafford, the advantage is Indiana. They hold all first-round picks until 2032. On the other hand, the Lakers have limited cards to give compared to Indiana.
사진 확대 Wiggins is also on the Lakers’ radar. Photo = Clutch Point SNS
The bigger problem is that the Lakers are struggling to reinforce additional power in addition to Gafford. They want Andrew Wiggins, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, etc, but the reality is falling.
Mark Stein said the New Orleans Pelicans have a significant interest in trade inquiries for Murphy, Jones. At the same time, he explained that he would set high requirements and not give them unless they were very good conditions. The Athletic also expected that New Orleans would not be willing to trade Murphy and Jones, and that it would be difficult to sit at the negotiating table with the Lakers’ limited trading assets.
In the end, it is difficult for the Lakers to strengthen their wing resources as well as their gafford. In fact, with LeBron James’ last season and Luca Doncic in good shape, he has to try to win the championship by strengthening his power somehow. However, it is in a difficult atmosphere in many ways.
사진 확대 Murphy is the player the Lakers want. But New Orleans has no intention of letting him go easily. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1
[MIN JUN KU, MK Sports Reporter]