The Lakers’ biggest roster question isn’t at the top of the chart. It’s deeper down, where the backup center spot still looks shaky behind Walker Kessler.
Los Angeles has plenty to like elsewhere. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, and Sandro Mamukelashvili give the roster real firepower. But the frontcourt behind Kessler is where the concern starts to show, and that’s why Dallas has suddenly become a team to watch.
“I mean, they’re looking. They’re looking, said Dan Woike on the Zach Lowe Show.
“But a lot of teams are looking at backup bigs, and it’s not a super robust market. A situation I would say that I’m monitoring is like what’s going on with the back of Dallas’ bench, like, are they going to carry four centers?”
Right now, Kevon Looney is the only bench option, and his projected role doesn’t inspire much confidence. Last season, he averaged 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 41.7% from the field.
The Lakers can’t do much immediately, but the clock is ticking toward February’s trade deadline, and the Mavericks may offer the cleanest path to a fix. Dallas is rebuilding around Cooper Flagg, which raises the question of whether it really needs to keep a four-center setup with two aging veteran bigs.
Dereck Lively II would be the prize. At 7’1″ and 22 years old, he would be the ideal answer for Los Angeles, but the Mavericks are almost certain to hold onto him.
That makes Daniel Gafford the more realistic name. The 6’10” center has spent seven NBA seasons carving out a valuable role, and his numbers speak for themselves: 9.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game on 70.2% shooting. He has been a defensive presence for Dallas and also shared the floor with Luka Doncic during the Mavericks’ only run to the NBA Finals in 2024.
If not Gafford or Lively, the Lakers could look at Moussa Cisse or Santi Aldama. Any of those paths would require a return package, and the source points to a likely cost built around Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, and multiple future picks.
For now, Los Angeles is staying patient and waiting to see what the current group can deliver. After reaching the Western Semifinals last season, the Lakers aren’t far from the league’s top tier. One or two moves could change that fast, and Dallas looks like the place where the next opening might come.
In Other News...
Mavericks Make Another Early Camp Cut As Roster Decisions Begin
Roster trimming has started around the league, and the Mavericks have already made one of their first camp decisions by requesting waivers on Jorge Diaz Graham after his recent preseason appearance. It is the kind of early move that signals how quickly these spots can disappear once exhibition play begins, especially for players trying to turn a short look into something longer.
Around the rest of the league, similar camp churn has been underway, with the Pelicans bringing back Hunter Dickinson on a non-guaranteed training camp deal with Exhibit 10 language after waiving him from a two-way contract in August, while the Spurs signed Kendall Brown and the Kings added David Muoka on training camp contracts. For Dallas, the broader picture is clear enough: these early cuts are part of the first round of roster sorting, even if the final shape of the group is still coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Make A Twin-Linked Roster Move Fans Will Notice
The Mavericks made a roster move on the margins that still stands out because of the family tie involved, signing Guillermo Diaz Graham and waiving his twin brother, Jorge Diaz Graham. It was part of a broader round of camp business around the league, with Philadelphia also making two waiver moves and bringing in Cris Carroll and Taye Fields on Exhibit 10 contracts, while Miami added Ezra Ausar and let go of Ian Schieffelin.
For Dallas, the Diaz Graham name is the eye-catcher, even if the transaction itself fits the usual late-summer churn of roster trimming and G League planning. With camps and affiliate assignments taking shape, the Mavericks now have one half of the twin connection in their system, while the other moves elsewhere in the NBA underline how quickly these back-end roster spots can shift. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Rookies Are Forcing A Tough Decision Before Final Cuts
After the Mavericks preseason home opener loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Dusty May came away with more than just a fresh look at the rotation. The head coach singled out rookies Sergio de Larrea and Tobi Lawal for the way they handled the moment, a promising sign for a team still sorting through its early roster picture. With preseason games now doubling as auditions, every solid shift matters a little more, especially for younger players trying to carve out a place before the calendar turns.
Morez Johnson Jr. sat out with shin splints, which only adds another layer to a group that is still being evaluated from top to bottom. May said the Mavericks are continuing to assess their options and are hoping to get more players back for the final preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks. For a team approaching final cuts, the minutes left on the clock are getting scarce, and the rookies recent play has made the decision tree more interesting than it looked a few days ago. [Read more 🡒]