June 2, 2025 — NBA Offseason Buzz
It hasn’t even been five months since the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, but the Dallas Mavericks may be in for more heartbreak — and again, it could come at the hands of the Lakers.
As the 2025 NBA offseason ramps up, insiders and league executives are speculating that the Lakers could make another bold move targeting a key Mavericks player — this time, center Daniel Gafford — a deal that would not only strengthen Los Angeles’ interior presence but also reunite Dončić with a former teammate he has chemistry with.
🔁 Trade Fallout Still Haunting Dallas
The original deal on February 1, which sent Dončić to L.A., shocked the NBA world. While the Mavericks softened the blow by landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, the loss of Dončić remains deeply felt by fans and the organization alike.
Flagg, regarded as a generational talent and two-way superstar in the making, brings hope to the Mavericks’ future. But even with the hype surrounding his rookie season, the emotional void left by Dončić is far from filled — and the Lakers may not be done making Dallas feel the sting.
🧩 The Gafford Situation
Sources close to the Mavericks’ front office suggest that Daniel Gafford is becoming a potential trade casualty due to the sudden surplus in the frontcourt. With Cooper Flagg expected to play heavy minutes at the 4 or 5, and the continued development of Dereck Lively II, Gafford could find himself squeezed out of the rotation — despite his solid performances last season.
“He’s still a high-energy, rim-protecting big, but he’s suddenly become the most expendable piece,” a Western Conference executive told Hoops Daily. “Teams are calling. And the Lakers might be one of them.”
🚨 Lakers in Play?
The Los Angeles Lakers, under new head coach JJ Redick, are reportedly seeking to add frontcourt depth behind or alongside Anthony Davis (if Davis remains healthy) and Wendell Carter Jr. (acquired in a previous trade proposal). Adding Gafford, a mobile big who runs the floor well and excels in pick-and-roll situations, would give them a versatile piece that complements Dončić’s playmaking and Redick’s system.
What makes this scenario even more compelling is Dončić’s known appreciation for Gafford’s game. The two developed a solid connection in their brief time as teammates, with Dončić frequently praising Gafford’s screen-setting and rim-rolling ability.
“He makes my job easy. He’s always in the right spot,” Dončić said in a postgame interview last season while still with Dallas.
🔄 Potential Trade Framework
Here’s a realistic trade proposal that could benefit both sides:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive:
•Daniel Gafford (C)
Dallas Mavericks Receive:
•2026 second-round pick
•Jaxson Hayes (C)
•Max Christie (SG)
This gives Dallas a serviceable backup center in Hayes, a promising young shooter in Christie, and a future asset. For the Lakers, they solidify their big man rotation and deepen their playoff-ready roster.
🧠 Why Luka Would Love It
Luka Dončić’s game thrives with athletic bigs who can set hard screens, finish lobs, and protect the rim. Gafford does all of that — and already has established chemistry with Dončić. It’s a seamless fit in a system that’s increasingly being tailored around Luka’s vision and pace.
Additionally, such a move would further signal that the Lakers are fully committed to building a title-caliber roster around their superstar duo of Dončić and LeBron James — even as LeBron continues to defy time in his 40s.
🧨 Mavericks Fans Could Feel the Sting Again
Trading away Dončić was painful. Losing another core contributor, especially one beloved by fans like Gafford, to the very team that poached their franchise cornerstone, would only deepen the wound. And even if Cooper Flagg becomes the superstar many expect him to be, this sort of deal would be an emotional gut punch — a reminder that the Luka Dončić era is officially over in Dallas.
📌 Final Thoughts
If this move materializes, the Lakers would be executing another calculated blow to a Mavericks team still reeling from February’s mega trade. It would also serve as another affirmation that L.A. is all-in on contending now, with the Dončić-LeBron duo at its heart.
And for Luka? It could be one step closer to delivering a title in the purple and gold — with one more familiar face by his side.
