LAKERS OFFSEASON NO LEBRON JAMES BIG BOARD: #16 DANIEL GAFFORD

WRITTEN + EDITED BY JORDYN BONTRAGER

You know this continued collection of candidates would not be complete without Lakers trade rumor OG Daniel Gafford.

Gafford is included in the superior crop of this generation’s backup/fringe starting center group. He is one of those guys who just gracefully gets the job done on a low decibel level whenever he is on the floor: 7 SZNS | 433 GAMES | 259 STARTS | 20.1 MPG | 9.3 PPG | 5.8 RPG | 1.1 APG vs 1.0 TOPG | 1.5 BPG | 0.5 SPG | 70.2% FG | 0 CAREER TRIPLE TRIES | 67.4% FT. If Pelinka truly aspires to reciprocate the roster roundup of Luka’s old running mates, Gafford makes more sense than any other present Mav who was also a part of the team’s run back in ‘24.

For starters, he all caps THRIVED beside Doncic in their previous stint together. Next, he is a top shelf rim protector capable of single-handedly deterring opposing paint dwellers. With the (assumed) returning Doncic-Reaves guard duo needing all the backline support they can possibly get on D, DG’s presence as a rim patroller could be a godsend for JJ Redick and his coaching staff to count on. Sprinkle in Gafford’s high octane activities on the glass + his unwavering willingness to both run the floor with purpose and finish lobs with vengeance, and you have all the makings of a monster awaiting manifestation.

Given that the team’s current trajectory is tailored for tanking next season, Dallas might be as likely as any team in the league to take a flier on what could have been AKA Dalton Knecht. No matter what anyone ever says about DK, that boy still has some juice in the kitchen waiting to be juiced. Dangle Dalton, Vando and a future first and see what new Mavs GM Mike Schmitz says.