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Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick looks down on the floor.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ already narrow path to a midseason roster upgrade grew even tighter this week, as one of their top trade targets may no longer be available ahead of the February deadline.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford—a player the Lakers have monitored for months—should no longer be viewed as a realistic trade candidate following the season-ending foot surgery of starting center Dereck Lively II.
“The Mavs just lost their starting C for the season. Do not assume Gafford will be moved,” Windhorst wrote during a Q&A session on Instagram Threads.
Gafford Now a Key Piece for Dallas After Lively’s Injury
GettyDaniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball over Deandre Ayton of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The timing of Lively’s injury drastically changed Dallas’ priorities. With Gafford already sidelined by an ankle issue, the Mavericks have been forced to rely heavily on former Laker Anthony Davis at center. Dallas has won five of its last six games since Davis returned from a calf strain, underscoring the importance of maintaining frontcourt stability.
Gafford’s value to the Mavericks has never been higher. His rim protection, mobility, and vertical spacing make him an essential complement to Davis, especially with Lively out for the year.
Lakers Had Targeted Gafford as Long-Term Fit Next to Dončić
Gafford was widely considered one of the Lakers’ most realistic trade targets as they searched for a pick-and-roll lob threat to pair with Dončić. NBA insider Jake Fischer first reported the Lakers’ interest in November.
“The Lakers are still undoubtedly going to be looking for long-term pick-and-roll lob threat pairings for Luka Dončić,” Fischer said in Bleacher Report’s Insider Notebook, adding that Gafford fits that mold precisely.
Financially, Gafford’s contract is trade-friendly. His three-year, $54 million extension contains no midseason restrictions and was designed with flexibility in mind. On the court, he has delivered steady production: 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 61% shooting in a mostly reserve role.
With the Lakers already adding Deandre Ayton as their starting center, Gafford was viewed as both a rotation upgrade and insurance against Ayton’s looming 2025–26 player option, which introduces long-term uncertainty.
Pacers Could Outbid Lakers in Potential Gafford Pursuit
Even if Dallas were to reconsider, the Lakers now face stiff competition. Fischer reported on Dec. 9 that the Indiana Pacers are also interested in Gafford as they search for a replacement big man after Myles Turner‘s departure while Tyrese Haliburton recovers from an Achilles injury.
“Indiana is expected to shop the in-season trade market for big men and likewise believed to hold interest in Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford,” Fischer wrote for The Stein Line.
Indiana holds a massive advantage in draft flexibility, controlling all of its own first-round picks through 2032, while the Lakers can only trade one first-round pick during the season. Full draft freedom does not unlock for Los Angeles until the summer, putting them at a significant disadvantage in any bidding war.
Lakers Also Hit With Setback in Their 3-and-D Wing Search
The Gafford setback is the second major blow to the Lakers’ deadline strategy.
Los Angeles has also been pursuing a defensive wing, with links to Andrew Wiggins, Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, but those options have grown increasingly unlikely.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported “considerable curiosity” across the league regarding New Orleans’ willingness to take calls on Murphy and Jones. However, Stein noted that the Pelicans have set an “extremely high” asking price intended to shut down inquiries.
Both Murphy and Jones are ascending players on favorable contracts—exactly the type of assets contending teams rarely move without an overwhelming return.
The Athletic’s Dan Woike reinforced that sentiment, writing that the Pelicans are “not interested in moving Jones” and that the Lakers’ limited trade capital—expiring contracts and one first-rounder (2030 or 2031)—won’t get them into serious conversations.
“Considering what LA would have to offer in a deal, the Pelicans almost certainly wouldn’t engage at that price point,” Woike wrote.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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