Despite a strong start from Deandre Ayton, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly keeping an eye on Daniel Gafford as a potential addition before the NBA trade deadline. The Lakers’ interest comes amid the Dallas Mavericks’ rough start to the season, according to ClutchPoint’s Brett Siegel.
Lakers Monitoring Gafford’s Situation in Dallas
Siegel reported that several NBA teams, including the Lakers, are closely watching Gafford’s situation in Dallas.
“It is no secret that Harrison and the Mavericks’ front office will explore what return exists for Klay Thompson before the trade deadline, and several teams are monitoring Daniel Gafford’s status, sources said,” Siegel wrote. “The 27-year-old center recently signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension this offseason, but he remains trade eligible this season.”
Currently, the Mavericks are not in “panic mode” and have not actively shopped players, but multiple teams are monitoring Gafford’s status. Siegel noted the Lakers’ long-standing interest:
“Coincidentally enough, one of the teams with a strong interest in Gafford dating back to last season is the Los Angeles Lakers, sources said. Could we see a reunion between Luka Dončić and Gafford in Los Angeles in February?”
Gafford’s Early-Season Performance
Getty Will the Los Angeles Lakers reunite former Dallas Mavericks teammates Luka Dončić and Daniel Gafford?
Gafford has played in three games this season after missing time at the start of the campaign. The 27-year-old center has averaged 12 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting an impressive 75% from the field in 22.3 minutes per game. In his most recent outing, he posted 15 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and two steals on 6-for-8 shooting in 25 minutes.
The potential trade raises questions about whether Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison will assist the Lakers again following their previous Dončić-Anthony Davis swap, which has struggled to produce expected results.
Deandre Ayton Proving to Be a Steal
Meanwhile, Ayton is exceeding expectations for the Lakers at just $8.1 million this season. The center is averaging 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 65.7% from the field.
Ayton has provided both rim protection and a reliable pick-and-roll partner for the Lakers’ guards, including Austin Reaves and Dončić. He credits head coach JJ Redick for his continued improvement.
“I think it all started in training camp,” Ayton said. “JJ not giving a crap who’s out there, he wants to play Laker basketball… JJ has been in this game for a while; he’s won this game for a while. So I think anything he says, we can trust it, and it becomes part of our routine—approaching the game the right way with professionalism.”
Ayton’s Impact on Lakers’ Early Success
Ayton has been dominant in recent games, including back-to-back 20-point, 10-rebound performances against his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Victor Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs. These performances helped the Lakers extend their five-game winning streak.
The Lakers have overcome early-season injuries to stars like LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Reaves, with Ayton and other offseason signings stepping up significantly.
Long-Term Lakers Strategy
If Ayton continues his strong play, he may decline his $8.1 million player option next season to enter unrestricted free agency. Adding a player like Gafford could provide long-term insurance for the Lakers, ensuring the team maintains depth at the center position while balancing short-term playoff aspirations and future roster flexibility.
As the season progresses, the Lakers’ front office will have to weigh the potential trade for Gafford against the continued strong performance of Ayton, a low-cost star who has quickly become a cornerstone of their team.
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