{"id":118839,"date":"2025-01-18T20:13:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-19T01:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=118839"},"modified":"2025-01-18T20:13:01","modified_gmt":"2025-01-19T01:13:01","slug":"lakers-mavericks-center-daniel-gafford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/18\/lakers-mavericks-center-daniel-gafford\/","title":{"rendered":"Should Lakers Pursue Mavericks Center on Trading Block?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anthony Davis<\/span><\/a>\u2019s recent absence from the <\/span>Lakers<\/span><\/a> has once again highlighted the need for a legitimate reinforcement at center. A number of names have already popped up on their radar, but recent news surrounding a rival\u2019s man in the middle could add to their list of trade targets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should Lakers Pursue Mavericks Center on Trading Block?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Daniel Gafford Enters Trade Talks<\/b><\/h3>\n

On Friday, The Athletic revealed that the\u00a0<\/span>Mavericks<\/span><\/a>\u00a0put center Daniel Gafford in trade talks, reportedly asking for a \u201cperimeter defender\u201d in return. Dallas has dealt with a gauntlet of injuries as they aim for their own playoff push, notably to <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a> and\u2014more recently\u2014<\/span>Dereck Lively II<\/span><\/a>. Despite the latter\u2019s absence, Lively has all but cemented himself as the Mavericks\u2019 starting big man going forward, leaving Dallas willing to part ways with Gafford to enhance their depth at other positions.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 40 games (17 starts) this season, Gafford has averaged 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 assists. He has shot 70.5% from the field and 66.7% from the free-throw line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Daniel Gafford last night, despite the loss:<\/p>\n

27 PTS
12 REB
2 AST
2 BLK
12-13 FG<\/p>\n

The Landlord is back.
pic.twitter.com\/y6HtGiZ2Yu<\/a><\/p>\n

— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) January 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n