Latest news with #DanielGafford
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Can Reunite Luka Doncic With Ex-Teammate If Mavericks Fail To Agree On Deal With 6'10 Big Man
The Los Angeles Lakers, following a disappointing early exit from the 2025 NBA Playoffs, are actively seeking solutions to bolster their roster, particularly in the frontcourt. One potential target was presented as Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford. Although initial reports made it seem like Gafford wouldn't be available for acquisition, recent updates suggest that the Lakers may still have a chance at landing the center. Advertisement Gafford's future with the Mavericks is uncertain due to ongoing contract extension negotiations. The Mavs' big man is entering the final year of his contract and wants a pay raise. However, Dallas has to consider all their options as their starting center, Dereck Lively, is also a year away from being available for a contract extension. In light of this, Gafford finds himself at a bit of an impasse with the organization. At 26 years old, he has proven to be one of the most hardworking and effective centers coming off the bench. With an average of 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, the Mavs' big man made solid contributions to the team's efforts, even during his few games as a starter. Gafford's contract is currently valued at $14.3 million. Although there is no scope to give him more money in the immediate context, the Mavs could offer him an extension. But, if this deal is not reached, it would be sensible for the team to look at trading him to get some value out of him rather than losing him in free agency. The Mavericks' position in this case is very interesting. With the No. 1 pick in the draft, Dallas is likely to select Cooper Flagg. While this has major connotations for the team's future development, it doesn't answer some pressing concerns that they will have in the immediate context. Advertisement With Kyrie Irving out, tentatively till January 2026, the Mavs are reportedly going to be on the lookout for a point guard. With the Gafford extension also looming overhead, there is a likelihood that the franchise could look to ship Gafford in an attempt to secure a playmaker and maybe another role player. Although the Purple and Gold made some moves to sign Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets before the trade deadline, they rescinded the trade as they felt they were giving up too much. However, this decision subsequently hurt them as the lack of a solid center in their rotation saw them make a quiet exit after a five-game series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers need a big man. The Mavericks need a playmaker. The situation itself sets the tone for a potential trade. Advertisement Proposed Trade Details Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Daniel Gafford Dallas Mavericks Receive: Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht The Lakers Could Swing For A Trade With The Mavs For Gafford A potential trade between the Lakers and the Mavericks for Daniel Gafford could work on paper. However, there are a lot of things that need to be considered first. The immediate challenge is identifying who benefits from this trade. On the Mavericks' end, acquiring Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht doesn't seem like a horrible idea. Vincent provides stubborn-defensive work and perimeter shooting. Meanwhile, Knecht has displayed talent for being a flat-out three-point threat as well as a gifted scorer. Advertisement However, this doesn't address the Mavericks' immediate need, which is playmaking. Although Vincent can take over the role, he has displayed very little aptitude for initiating and cultivating plays for his teammates. Although a system involving Davis and Flagg may not require a creative playmaker, the Lakers guard may not be the right fit in this context. On the Lakers' side, the addition of Gafford solves a majority of the team's issues in the frontcourt. With the 26-year-old joining the team, the Purple and Gold would feature a solid pick-and-roll center who can act as a lob threat at the drop of a hat. His prior experience of playing alongside Doncic is a bonus that rounds up the overall benefits of his arrival. A trade with the Mavericks also seems a bit optimistic for the Lakers. After the Davis-Doncic trade, fans were asking for Mavs GM Nico Harrison's head on a plate. The backlash of making such a trade has undoubtedly made the franchise resistant to dealing with the Purple and Gold. If it hasn't, Dallas will at least be more mindful of what kind of deal they make when discussing possible packages with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka. Regardless, the Lakers' need for a big man has been made quite obvious. With this in mind, several potential candidates have emerged as targets. The Mavs' big man happens to be preferred because of his experience playing alongside Doncic. Advertisement While the task of bringing Gafford over could be nigh impossible, the Lakers would benefit from swinging for the fences on this one. With the possibility of LeBron James returning next season, Gafford's addition would make the Lakers an instant contender again. However, with more concerns to address, the Purple and Gold would also need to look at other major tried opportunities while simultaneously focusing on ways to improve their wing depth to bolster their perimeter defense. Related: Lakers Might Land 'Shot-Blocker And Lob-Threat' Center In New Trade Idea
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Mavericks Trade Proposal Lands 2-Time All-Star For Daniel Gafford
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Dallas Mavericks are entering the offseason as one of the more interesting teams. After trading away star guard Luka Doncic for big man Anthony Davis, many saw Dallas as a team with a grim outlook for the future. More NBA news: Bucks Hit With Troubling Brook Lopez Update But thanks to some luck in the NBA Draft lottery, Dallas will now have the chance to draft Duke star Cooper Flagg. With this news, the Mavericks can likely move around some pieces on the roster to build a contending team. This could see some players be moved this offseason, and Dallas is expected to be very active. One name that has been floated around in trade rumors is center Daniel Gafford, and it has been reported that he wants to be paid like a starter. With Flagg coming to the team, Gafford could be expendable. Opposing teams will likely be trying to trade for him, and Dallas could pull the trigger on a deal. In this new trade proposal, Dallas moves Gafford and other pieces to land a two-time All-Star. Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed a deal to have Dallas land guard Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics. Here is what the deal could look like: Mavericks receive: Jrue Holiday and a $3 million trade exception (Olivier-Maxence Prosper) Celtics receive: Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, Drew Timme, a $32.4 million trade exception (Holiday), a $2.5 million trade exception (Xavier Tillman Sr.), a $2.4 million trade exception (Neemias Queta), and a $2.2 million trade exception (Porziņģis) Nets receive: Kristaps Porziņģis, Dwight Powell, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Xavier Tillman Sr., Neemias Queta (from Celtics), a 2026 protected first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick swap DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Daniel Gafford #21 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Daniel Gafford #21 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Photo byWith star guard Kyrie Irving likely to miss much of next season due to injury, bringing in a player like Holiday does make a lot of sense. Holiday could run the offense while providing the Mavericks with a solid two-way guard. More NBA news: Celtics' Jayson Tatum Still Receiving Major Criticism Despite Achilles Injury While Holiday isn't the same player that he once was, he can still provide a spark to a team. With Holiday, Davis, Flagg, and Klay Thompson, the Mavericks could contend in the Western Conference. The Celtics will be looking to shed salary this summer, and the Mavericks could be a perfect trading partner. Boston would get some nice pieces in Gafford and Washington to help them build the team forward. Even the Nets would get a massive expiring deal in Porziņģis, as well as some extra draft capital for the future. All in all, this does seem like a good trade for all sides. More NBA news: Warriors Could Lose Crucial Star Due to Clashing Roster Plans Lakers' Luka Doncic to Join LeBron James, Steve Nash on Podcast For more on the Mavericks, Celtics, Nets, and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider: Two centers have been linked to the Lakers
Not too long from now, teams across the NBA will start looking in earnest to make moves in order to improve their rosters ahead of next season. For the Los Angeles Lakers, that will mean going after a legitimate starting-level center. After landing Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis and Max Christie in early February, they had to make do with Jaxson Hayes, who lacks the size and strength to be a force defensively and on the boards, and Alex Len, who is a zero-impact player at this point of his career, at the 5. That very weak center rotation was likely the biggest reason they got waxed in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. Advertisement With executives from across the league meeting this week at the NBA draft combine in Chicago, the two centers on the market most connected to Los Angeles are the Brooklyn Nets' Nic Claxton and the Dallas Mavericks' Daniel Gafford, per Dan Woike. Woike also reported on what it would take for L.A. to trade guard Austin Reaves, who took yet another step forward in his production this season. Via Los Angeles Times: "People, including the Lakers' scouts and executives here in Chicago, have openly spoke about the team's needs at the center position — an obvious priority for Pelinka and Redick," Woike wrote. "The team has shown no interest in using Reaves in a trade that nets them anything less than a top-tier big, and there really aren't any of those available, with the two most common names linked to them in the earliest stages of the offseason — Brooklyn's Nic Claxton and Dallas' Daniel Gafford." Woike also gave a reality check on the obstacles in the way of the Lakers acquiring either Claxton or Gafford. "In Claxton, the Lakers would have the prototypical rim-protecting, lob-catching center that's tailor-made for Doncic. Claxton's due more than $66 million over the next three seasons and is two years removed from his most impactful stretch as a pro when he averaged 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks on a league-best 70.5% shooting from the field. This season in 70 games, those numbers dipped to 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks with 56.3% shooting. "An optimistic read on the situation would point to the Nets' losing as a reason for his dip in production. A pessimist would point to his narrow frame (just 215 pounds), the two straight years in which his numbers have slumped and the high salary. "Gafford, we know, is a surefire Doncic fit because of their time together in Dallas. He's about to enter the final year of his deal and plays on a roster with Dereck Lively and Anthony Davis, making it unlikely that there's more cash headed his way from the Mavericks. "The trouble, of course, is that people around the NBA wonder how it would look if Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison engaged Pelinka and the Lakers on another trade after the last deal between the teams was so unpopular that it caused protests." Other than Reaves, the Lakers will have rookie sharpshooter Dalton Knecht, the expiring contracts of forwards Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber and guard Gabe Vincent and their 2031 first-round draft pick to offer in any trade. Advertisement In addition to a starting-level center, they also need improved backcourt depth and possibly another 3-and-D wing in order to truly have a good chance of winning next season's NBA championship. Their lack of bench scoring was another big problem they had in their playoff series versus the Timberwolves. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider: Two centers have been linked to the Lakers
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA writer proposes trade that would give Lakers the center they need
NBA writer proposes trade that would give Lakers the center they need The Los Angeles Lakers' biggest roster need this offseason is obviously a starting-level center. Their lack of such a player was never more evident than it was during their loss in the first round of the NBA playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who manhandled them inside and outrebounded them badly. The Lakers lost the series in five games, and general manager Rob Pelinka readily admitted their need for an upgrade at the 5 spot afterward. There will surely be plenty of rumors and proposals over the next several weeks as far as what they may do to address this deficiency. Veteran NBA reporter Tim MacMahon suggested on the "The Hoop Collective" podcast that the franchise team up with a friendly general manager who already gave them a huge gift three months ago by proposing that it acquire Daniel Gafford from the Dallas Mavericks. 'Let me throw one at you. This is pure hypothetical, me trying to be GM, figure out things that might make sense,' MacMahon said. 'The Mavericks quietly sniffed around the value of Daniel Gafford before this deadline. It certainly would make sense for them to do that this summer.' The Mavs and executive Nico Harrison obviously sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles at a low price, and Harrison has a friendship with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka that goes back many years. MacMahon's reasoning from the Mavs' perspective is that they will not be able to keep all of their key big men. 'Dereck Lively is a year away from getting an extension, Daniel Gafford is entering the final year of his contract, Gafford reasonably and rightly wants to get starting center money,' MacMahon explained. 'You can't have AD (Anthony Davis) on a max, Lively on a big contract and pay Gafford starting center money.' The reporter then proposed what type of package the Lakers could send to Dallas for Gafford. 'I could at least put something together that would at least be intriguing for the Mavericks. 'Rui [Hachimura], all those picks that they've got to give up, a swap or two, I can put something together to make sense to both sides.' Gafford would be a very solid get for Los Angeles. At 6-foot-10, he isn't the tallest center around, but he weighs 265 pounds and is a true shot-blocker. This season, he averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 21.5 minutes a game. He shot an incredible 70.2% from the field, mostly because 69% of his field-goal attempts came from within three feet of the basket. But he had 113 dunks in 57 games and is the type of lob threat and rim runner who the Lakers need in the middle offensively. Of course, Gafford spent some time playing with Doncic, so the two already have a bit of chemistry together. He will make just under $14.4 million next season, so it shouldn't cost a lot of trade capital to get him, and at age 26, he could be a member of the Lakers for years to come.
Washington Post
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Anthony Davis has 34 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 stitches in best game for Mavs
DALLAS — It came to Anthony Davis following his pregame nap Wednesday afternoon that he would finally play all out for the Dallas Mavericks that night against the Atlanta Hawks and finally put the adductor strain that sidelined him Feb. 8 for six weeks out of his mind. 'Whatever happens, happens,' Davis said. 'Just go out there and play with a lot of energy, a lot of force, a lot of dominance.' Dominate he did. The 10-time All-Star had 34 points (his most in six games with Dallas), 15 rebounds and five blocks (also a Dallas best) despite missing most of the second quarter after taking an elbow above his right eye as the Mavericks rallied from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Hawks 120-118. 'We go as he goes,' Mavericks guard Klay Thompson said. 'He's obviously our best player.' Davis had 13 points in the first period, and scored the game's final points on a driving floater with 3.4 seconds left. He moved to his left, shooting with his right hand. 'A shot that I've been shooting for a long time,' he said. 'It's a shot I'm very confident in.' Davis spent time laying on the floor at the end of the first period after being struck by teammate Daniel Gafford and was taken to the locker room. He returned two minutes before halftime with a bandage over the eye having gotten four stitches. 'Probably my first time getting cut open,' Davis said. 'Us Chicago kids are pretty tough.' The game finished with Davis back on the floor, crashing into the scorer's table after defending Atlanta's final shot. Trae Young, who scored 25 points but only four in the second half, was short on a 26-foot 3-pointer with Davis lunging toward him. A Mavericks team that a few weeks ago appeared headed for the lottery and was in danger of not meeting the NBA minimum for active players because of a flood of injuries sits ninth in the Western Conference with a 2 1/2-game cushion over 11th-place Phoenix with five games to play. They lost nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving on March 3 to a season-ending knee injury. Superstar Luka Doncic played his last game for the Mavericks on Christmas Day, and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1 in the deal that brought Davis to Dallas. Then Davis was injured in his Dallas debut. Davis returned last week and was joined this week by injured big men Daniel Gafford (out since Feb. 10) and Dereck Lively II (out since Jan. 14). 'With the guys we have, we definitely have enough to make some noise,' Davis said. Davis remains on a minutes restriction, raised to 32 on Wednesday night. He played 30, missing the first 10 minutes of the second quarter. 'It's good to see that he's starting to get in a rhythm,' Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. 'He was assertive from the beginning.' ___ AP NBA:
