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The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are two teams in need of an upgrade at the center position.
Deandre Ayton wasn’t the worst starting center in the league this year, but his lack was a cause for concern all season. Additionally, Jaxson Hayes’ limitations on both ends make him a mediocre backup big man option at best.
Regarding the Celtics, the 18-time NBA champions deserve credit for working with what they had in 2025-26. Neemis Queta, Luka Garza, and Nikola Vucevic aren't exactly a formidable frontcourt unit. Still, Boston managed to get serviceable production from the trio.
That said, with the Celtics expected to move on from Vucevic this summer, and Queta and Garza not being the most dependable low-post contributors, it’s reasonable to suggest they could benefit from bolstering that aspect of their roster. Fortunately for Los Angeles and Boston, they were included on the list of possible suitors for a beloved Dallas Mavericks lob threat.
“The Celtics, (Toronto) Raptors, (Atlanta) Hawks, (Charlotte) Hornets, and Lakers are teams worth mentioning as possible suitors for Daniel Gafford,” NBA analyst Jake Weinbach wrote Wednesday. “I would say there’s an increasing likelihood of Gafford being moved this offseason .”
If the Lakers truly value Doncic and want to pair him with a center with whom he played elite pick-and-roll basketball in Dallas, they’ll aggressively pursue Gafford this offseason. Going back to his collegiate career at Arkansas, Gafford has been at his best when he sets forceful high-ball screens and fluidly rolls to the rim for violent one or two-handed jams.
The 27-year-old’s remarkable 78.0% field goal shooting in 29 games with the Mavericks in 2023-24 indicates he played to his strengths alongside Doncic during arguably the best stretch of his NBA career.
If the Mavericks go all-in on trading Gafford, the Lakers should be among the franchises to inquire about him.
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