The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to enter the offseason with a clear objective: finally stabilize the center position.

Armed with projected cap flexibility and renewed urgency after another uneven campaign, the Lakers appear poised to explore both free agency and the trade market. According to ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, center is one of the organization’s top priorities — and meaningful changes could be coming regardless of Deandre Ayton and his $8.1 million player option.

While Ayton was signed last summer in hopes of ending years of inconsistency in the middle, his uneven production has only intensified scrutiny about his long-term fit in Los Angeles.

Now, a new name has emerged as a logical solution: Daniel Gafford.

Why Daniel Gafford Makes Sense for the Lakers

Pelton pointed to multiple realistic center options, including Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III. However, he also outlined a compelling trade scenario involving Gafford — a player with built-in chemistry alongside Luka Doncic.

Reflecting on how the Dallas Mavericks rebuilt their frontcourt around Doncic en route to the 2024 NBA Finals, Pelton highlighted the interior impact of both Dereck Lively II and Gafford.

“If Dallas is willing to do business with the Lakers again,” Pelton wrote, “Gafford and (P.J.) Washington would be sensible trade targets.”

That caveat is important. Trade relations between the Lakers and Mavericks reportedly remain strained following the controversial Luka Doncic trade engineered under former general manager Nico Harrison. According to reports, discussions between the franchises may not be simple.

Still, from a basketball standpoint, the fit is difficult to ignore.

Gafford’s On-Court Impact and Statistical Profile

Through 40 games this season, Gafford has averaged:

• 8.0 points per game

• 6.5 rebounds per game

• 1.0 assists per game

• 1.3 blocks per game

• 62.5% field goal shooting

While not a high-usage scorer, Gafford thrives in efficient, defined roles. His strengths align directly with several of the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses:

1. Rim Protection

Los Angeles has struggled with consistent interior defense. Gafford’s timing and shot-blocking presence provide a dependable last line of defense.

2. Rebounding Physicality

The Lakers have frequently been outmuscled on the boards. Gafford’s strength and motor help secure contested rebounds in traffic.

3. Pick-and-Roll Chemistry with Luka Doncic

Perhaps most importantly, Gafford already understands how to operate alongside Doncic.

As a vertical lob threat and rim-runner, he excels in high pick-and-roll actions — a foundational element of Doncic-led offenses.

If continuity and chemistry are priorities, Gafford offers a plug-and-play option rather than a developmental project.

Contract Structure Adds Long-Term Value

Gafford’s contract enhances his appeal as a trade candidate.

He is currently finishing a three-year, $40.1 million deal, earning $14.3 million this season. A three-year, $54.3 million extension then kicks in, beginning at $17.2 million in 2026-27 and rising to $18.9 million by 2028-29.

For a starting-caliber center entering his prime at age 27, that salary structure is considered team-friendly in today’s NBA cap environment.

An acquiring team would secure:

• Cost certainty

• Prime-age production

• A long-term rotational anchor

For the Lakers, that stability could be more valuable than chasing a higher-profile but more volatile option.

Competition Could Complicate a Deal

Despite the clean basketball fit, acquiring Gafford will not be easy.

NBA insider Evan Sidery previously reported that Gafford had as many as five suitors at the trade deadline. That level of interest is unlikely to disappear during the offseason.

Additionally, strained front-office dynamics between Dallas and Los Angeles may serve as a barrier. Even if the Mavericks are open to discussions, they may hesitate to strengthen a Western Conference rival.

Lakers’ Broader Offseason Strategy

The Lakers are also expected to monitor blockbuster scenarios, including a potential pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo should he become available.

If a superstar opportunity materializes, Los Angeles could shift resources accordingly. However, if the front office prioritizes roster balance and role optimization around Doncic, targeting a dependable center like Gafford becomes increasingly logical.

Rather than swinging for the most ambitious name, the Lakers may determine that the safest path to improvement lies in strengthening foundational positions.

Why Gafford Could Be the Ideal “Safe” Option

As Fadeaway World’s Nico Martinez noted, Gafford may not be the flashiest center target — but he might be the most practical.

He brings:

• Proven chemistry with Luka Doncic

• Defensive reliability

• Efficient finishing

• Reasonable long-term salary

In a Western Conference loaded with elite big men, stability in the paint matters. Gafford would not require offensive touches to stay engaged, nor would he disrupt existing perimeter hierarchy.

Instead, he would fill gaps — something the Lakers have been trying to solve for years.

Final Outlook: Logical, Attainable, but Not Guaranteed

The Lakers’ offseason will hinge on priorities: chase star power or reinforce structural weaknesses?

If the organization chooses the latter, Daniel Gafford stands out as one of the most sensible and attainable solutions to finally address the center position.

Trade politics, league-wide competition, and broader market movement will ultimately determine feasibility. But from a basketball and financial perspective, Gafford checks nearly every box.

For a team seeking durability, chemistry, and defensive edge, the path forward may not require a blockbuster — just the right fit in the middle.