If the Los Angeles Lakers are going to pull the trigger on a trade before the deadline, there’s one voice that needs to be in the room: Luka Doncic’s.
The Lakers have made it clear-they’re all in on building around their superstar point guard. And when you’ve got a generational talent like Doncic, that’s not just smart, it’s essential. Every move they make should be about maximizing his prime, surrounding him with the kind of talent that complements his unique skill set.
That’s where a recent trade scenario comes into play-one that would bring a familiar face back into Doncic’s orbit. In a proposed three-team deal, the Lakers would acquire 6-foot-10 center Daniel Gafford, a player who already has on-court chemistry with Doncic from their time together in Dallas.
Now, let’s be clear: the optics of the Mavericks dealing with the Lakers again are a little wild, especially considering how the original Luka trade played out. But if the circumstances line up-particularly if Giannis Antetokounmpo ends up on the move and off L.A.’s radar-then the Lakers could pivot and look for players who fit better with Doncic right now. Gafford checks a lot of those boxes.
He’s a classic rim-running big, the kind of player who thrives next to a playmaker like Luka. Think high screens, hard rolls, and lob finishes.
Gafford doesn’t need touches to be effective-he just needs a quarterback like Doncic to put the ball in the right spot. And on the other end, he brings the kind of interior defense that can help cover for Luka’s occasional lapses on that side of the ball.
The proposed deal would send Gafford and a 2029 second-round pick (via the Jazz) to the Lakers. In return, Gabe Vincent and a top-five protected 2031 first-rounder (via the Lakers) would head to Dallas, while Dalton Knecht and Dante Exum would land in Utah.
From the Lakers’ perspective, this is about more than just acquiring a big man-it’s about giving Doncic a trusted partner in the frontcourt, someone who already understands how to operate in his orbit. Gafford was on the receiving end of countless lobs, dump-offs, and pocket passes during the Mavericks’ 2024 run to the NBA Finals. That familiarity matters, especially when you’re trying to make a deep playoff push with limited time to build chemistry.
And let’s not forget-Gafford played a key role in that Finals run. He wasn’t just along for the ride; he was a real contributor, particularly in pick-and-roll situations where Doncic’s vision and timing allowed Gafford to feast around the rim.
With the trade deadline looming on Feb. 5, Gafford’s name will likely stay linked to the Lakers. Whether this deal or another one materializes, the goal remains the same: find players who elevate Doncic’s game and give the Lakers a better shot at contending now-not just dreaming about the summer.
Because when you’ve got a talent like Luka Doncic, the window is open. The question is: will the Lakers step through it before it starts to close?