Doing business with the Dallas Mavericks has been a prosperous business venture for the Los Angeles Lakers in recent times. If Nico Harrison does not have PTSD from hearing Rob Pelinka's voice on the other end of the phone, the two teams could link up once more once the NBA offseason rolls around.
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report certainly thought the teams would make for great trade partners again. However, this time, the Lakers were not the focal point of the three-team trade with the Dallas Mavericks. In this case, the role that Los Angeles would play would be more of a secondary one.
Lakers secure a center that Luka Doncic is familiar with
Pincus suggested a deal for the 2025 offseason that involves the Mavericks creating a trend of sending away members of the backcourt that got them to the NBA Finals in 2024. This is was the proposed by the Bleacher Report writer.
Dallas Mavericks
Charlotte Hornets
Los Angeles LakersPincus noted, "This assumes [Kyrie] Irving opts into the final year of his contract, which would also allow him to earn a $6.6 million trade bonus. Ball would earn an estimated $2.8 million trade kicker. "
The reasoning for the Mavericks wanting to do this deal were cited as a lack of offensive creativity following the Luka Doncic trade and the injury to Irving. It was explained that if Dallas does not care to run the risk of banking on an injured Irving to return from his torn ACL like nothing happened, LaMelo Ball could be a player worth pursuing to address their issues.
The Charlotte Hornets' interest in this deal comes from a potential teardown of the roster under new ownership and leadership, opting to build around Brandon Miller instead. If Ball is not viewed as a player worth his $204 million extension, Pincus suggested the team could look to redeem his value on the trade market.
For the Lakers, this deal essentially becomes giving up Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick for a center who is a known commodity. Gafford has played with Doncic before and the chemistry between the two already exists.
The Mavericks center has averaged 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, while shooting 69.9 percent from the field in the 2024-25 NBA season. That type of production would be a welcome addition for Los Angeles.
The value going out for Gafford is a touch high at an initial glance. However, given the Lakers' limited asset pool for the trade market, it appears a necessary price to pay for the upgrade in the frontcourt.