Lakers' path to trading for Daniel Gafford just became painfully clear

The Dallas Mavericks have seemingly taken Daniel Gafford off the board by re-signing their prized center to a three-year, $54 million extension. It's a development that directly impacts the Los Angeles Lakers, which have been linked to Gafford as a potential trade target.

Thankfully, Gafford re-signing with the Mavericks isn't quite the declaration of a future outside of Los Angeles that one might've presumed.

Shams Charania of ESPN initially reported that Gafford had signed a three-year extension worth nearly $60 million. That would've made him trade ineligible for the next six months, and thus would've ended Los Angeles' offseason dream of acquiring Luka Doncic's former lob threat.

Marc Stein of The Stein Line has since reported, however, that Gafford signed a three-year extension worth $54 million.

Due to the fact that Gafford signed for just less than the $54.3 million that would've triggered six-month trade ineligibility, Dallas can still move their big man as soon as this summer.

In other words: Gafford is still available if the Lakers choose to pursue a trade for the coveted big man at any point moving forward.

Daniel Gafford is still a Lakers option—but it'd likely cost Rui Hachimura

Gafford's contract equates to an annual average of $18 million per season, starting at an estimated $17,263,584. The Lakers have some degree of financial flexibility, but it's minimal enough that they need to find a way to effectively match that figure in any potential trades.

That puts Rui Hachimura directly in the conversation as the player whose talent and contract give Los Angeles the best chance at completing a move for Gafford.

Hachimura will make $18,259,259 in the final season of the three-year, $51 million contract that began in 2023-24. He's well worth the money, thriving as a corner-crashing forward who can attack closeouts, defend at a high level, and shoot the lights out from distance.

In 2024-25, Hachimura posted averages of 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 offensive boards, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.7 three-point field goals made on a slash line of .509/.413/.770.

For a Mavericks team in need of improved play along the wings, Hachimura could address a significant void. He's a proven player who has thrived alongside Dallas star Anthony Davis and can be plugged in effortlessly as a 3-and-D wing with well-rounded supplemental value.

Alongside Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson, Hachimura could give the Mavericks the rotation of wings they need to adequately complement Davis and Kyrie Irving.

As for the Lakers, the value of a potential move for Gafford is well-established. He's a rim-running and shot-blocking big who helped Doncic lead the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, and has a combination of youth and affordability the team can't rule out.

It's unclear if the Mavericks are actually willing to trade Gafford, but if the Lakers want to get a deal done, it will likely at least cost them Hachimura.