First things first—Dallas-Fort Worth is home to about 6.7 million people, a sprawling metro where anytime Luka Doncic steps on court, the world watches. Now rumors swirl that the Lakers are sniffing around for someone to pair with their star, like old times when Gafford was landing threes and rim runs in Dallas, hooking up alley-oops and thundering dunks off Doncic’s passes.

Hit the brakes—Daniel Gafford is off the table… at least until mid-season. He reportedly signed a three-year, nearly $60M deal with the Mavs. That works out to about $20M a year, locking him up through 2028–29, but with one caveat: he’s technically still trade‑eligible this season. According to Lakers Nation’s Trevor Lane, the extension is “just low enough” to allow the Mavericks to keep Gafford on the market if the right offer comes. It’s a smart leverage play.

The Mavs are sending a signal: “We love him, but we won’t rule out a deal—if it makes sense.” Meanwhile, Luka Doncic fans (and Lakers fans feeling déjà vu) are left holding their breath.

Lane further broke down early offseason rumors and confirmed that Gafford and Nic Claxton were two of the Lakers’ most logical targets. He was referencing a report by Dan Woike of The Athletic, who wrote: “The talk at the start of the Lakers’ offseason was that Dallas’ Daniel Gafford and Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton were the two players who made the most sense.” But there’s a problem.

According to Woike, there’s “so much leaguewide skepticism that the Mavericks could optically make another trade with the Lakers after the open revolt of the fan base following the Dončić deal.” The backlash from Dončić’s exit is still raw in Dallas, and any trade with LA would have to be a clear win for the Mavericks.

Luka Doncic + Gafford: Still a Dream?

Why does this matter? Well, Gafford is Luka’s preferred center type: a rim-runner, elite lob threat, and defender. His career 71% FG clip is the best among bigs since 2019-20. Combine that with Luka Doncic’s vision and playmaking, and you’ve got a pick-and-roll dream scenario. But unless mid-season brings a shake-up, LA better pivot fast.

The good news for LA? He’s still technically in play. Lane notes that despite the Mavs “telling everybody who will listen that they really love him,” the contract structure speaks for itself. He adds, “There’s a reason why you signed him to a contract that specifically will allow him to still be traded right now.”

The question becomes whether LA can even make a convincing offer. If the Lakers want Gafford—or another name like Claxton—they’d likely need to send their best trade package. Lane speculates this would be something similar to the (now-dead) Mark Williams deal: “Dalton Knecht, the 2031 first-round pick, maybe a pick swap or two. Possibly Rui Hachimura.” But is Claxton even the right guy? Even Woike questions that, writing: “Claxton isn’t thought of as a shoo-in as the answer at the position, and if he costs you your best trade package, is it a gamble worth doing?”

With Gafford off the board—for now—the Purple & Gold are eyeing other options: Walker Kessler, Jalen Duren, Claxton (again)—young centers who fit stylistically and are cheaper. On the vet side, Brook Lopez and Clint Capela are targets via free agency, likely to play the backup role if signed. Use their $5.7M taxpayer midlevel exception to land a solid backup center like Lopez or Capela.

Moreover, Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ front-office maestro, made it crystal clear in his exit interview: “It’s very clear… this team… needs more size and needs a center position.” He admitted the post-Luka roster didn’t allow enough time to find a big, but now they’re doing so “very diligent, very detailed.” Dan Woike also laid out the blueprint for how this new-look Lakers roster needs to be built around Dončić, Reaves, and LeBron (for as long as he’s around).

“You need an athletic center who can work at the rim on both ends of the court. You need a secondary playmaker who can create on or off the ball. You need shooters who can make open catch-and-shoot opportunities out of rhythm. And you need athletic defenders,” Dan noted. Reaves and Hachimura tick some of those boxes. But everything else? Still under construction.

Yes, a reunion-era dream pairing of Luka Doncic and Daniel Gafford is still technically alive, but right now it’s super unlikely. The Mavs want Gafford—extension signed, staying committed. Luka Doncic still benefits from whatever big gets paired with him. Lakers are pursuing alternatives aggressively. Lakers Nation, Dan Woike, and NBA insiders all agree: Gafford is out for now, but Claxton, Kessler, and Duren are tracking closely. Pelinka’s words matter: this is the Lakers’ top priority this offseason.

Luka Doncic + Gafford reunion? Technically still possible mid-season—but don’t hold your breath. Lakers pivot: targeting younger and cheaper centers now. Pelinka’s mission: fill that center position ASAP, no matter what.

If you’re a fan of Luka Doncic, keep your eyes peeled. The center puzzle matters—you can’t run pick-and-roll magic alone. And whether it’s Gafford or another big, this offseason trade chess game will define the Lakers’ title chances.