Lakers predicted to reunite Luka with $40 million Mavs center, help LeBron chase title No. 5

The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs in brutal fashion, as the Minnesota Timberwolves' superstar guard Anthony Edwards thoroughly outclassed the generational tandem of Luka Dončić and LeBron James in Los Angeles' eventual five-game series defeat.

With the Lakers' general manager Rob Pelinka now desperately looking for a quick fix to help the storied franchise reenter the fray as title contenders in a loaded Western Conference, recent reports have indicated that Pelinka could reach out to the Dallas Mavericks once again in an effort to bolster their frontcourt rotation.

"It would be ironic if the Mavericks traded with the Lakers again, but Los Angeles could offer them some needed wing depth – Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht – and draft capital," ClutchPoints' Bailey Bassett wrote Thursday.

"(Daniel) Gafford has proven chemistry with Doncic, so this would be another great trade by Rob Pelinka."

By offering Dallas a potential trade package of Knecht, Vanderbilt and a 2031 first-round draft choice, the Lakers could provide their all-time great tandem with the wonderful lob threat and shot-blocking big man Daniel Gafford.

At just 26 years old, Gafford contributed 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while connecting on 70.2% of his attempts from the field in only 21.5 minutes.

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Gafford has been able to assert himself as one of the league's very best two-way centers, especially after he helped lead the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals alongside Dončić, who displayed a great pick-and-roll connection with the 6-foot-10 leaper.

A player of Gafford's ilk was exactly what Los Angeles had been missing throughout their short playoff run, as both James and Dončić thrive when sharing the floor with a strong screening big man with the athleticism and catch radius to throw powerful alley-oop finishes.

Though the former No. 38 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft to the Chicago Bulls is known league-wide as an electric finisher at the basket, his presence on the defensive end as a skilled rim-deterrent does not go unnoticed.

If brought in by Pelinka to co-star alongside Dončić, James and Austin Reaves, it's likely that the Lakers' title odds could receive a significant boost heading into the 2025-26 season.

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