The Los Angeles Lakers’ first round playoff exit continues to generate debate about potential roster changes.
Finding a legal center after being fully controlled by the Minnesota Timberwolves appears to be at the top of the Lakers’ offseason priority list.
NBA analyst Tim McMahon proposed an interesting trade idea that addresses this need while potentially leveraging Luka Donsic’s existing chemistry with his former teammates.
McMahon suggested that the Lakers could target Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks Center.
“I’ll throw it at you. This is a pure hypothesis, I’m about to become a GM.
“The Mavericks quietly sniffed the value of Daniel Gafford before this deadline. It certainly makes sense for them to do it this summer.”
The financial aspect also supports McMahon’s theory, as it creates a salary cap challenge for Dallas by maintaining three high-paying centers.
“Dereck Lively is a year away from getting an extension, so Daniel Gafford is in the final year of his contract and Gafford wants to earn the centre money reasonably and correctly,” explained MacMahon.
“You can’t advertise at the maximum. You’ll pay Gaford, who will get energized with a big deal and start the centre money.”
McMahon proposed a package focused on the versatile forward forward Louis Hachimura and drafted compensation.
“Louis, these choices they have to give up, one or two swaps, I can put together something that makes sense on both sides.”
Although purely speculative, the proposal underscores the need for the Lakers to find centers that can effectively complement their own planets and prevent internal domination that led to the end of the playoffs.
The proposal came after Rudy Gobert ruled the Lakers with 27 points in the series Clinchin Game 5.
This trade makes sense on multiple levels, especially considering the Mavericks’ roster structure, where Dereck Lively and Anthony Davis already hold frontcourt positions.