Lakers trade proposal to reunite Luka Doncic with former Mavericks teammate

The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the postseason in the first-round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, as they were largely underwhelming in the five game series. While many expected the Lakers to make a deep postseason run following the midseason acquisition of Luka Doncic, their glaring hole at center -- which was created when they moved Anthony Davis -- was exposed in the playoffs.

Los Angeles' brass have already expressed that adding a center will be prioritized this offseason after starter Jaxson Hayes played just 31 postseason minutes -- and ultimately was benched entirely in Game 5. A recent trade proposal involving four teams was floated to help the Lakers land a new big man -- one who has a history playing well alongside Doncic.

"Transaction No. 1 The Orlando Magic receive Daniel Gafford, The Dallas Mavericks receive Cole Anthony, No. 25 overall pick in 2025 draft (via Denver Nuggets)," Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus wrote Tuesday. "Transaction No. 2 The Magic receive Dalton Knecht, $110,000 (via Brooklyn Nets), $14.4 million trade exception (Gafford), $1.5 million trade exception (Jett Howard) The Nets receive Maxi Kleber, Jett Howard, 2027 Boston Celtics second-rounder (via Orlando) The Los Angeles Lakers receive Gafford."

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Pincus noted that the Magic would likely be willing to move on from Cole Anthony, whose playing time has diminished in each of the past three seasons. He played a career-low 18.4 minutes per game in 2024-25. The 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft was averaging just 11.9 mpg prior to Jalen Suggs' season-ending injury and will likely be expendable.

Meanwhile, Daniel Gafford is set for free agency after the 2025-26 season. With Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II under contract, it is unlikely that the center will be retained long-term. His pending free agency could lead the Mavericks to make a move. Pincus argued that the ability to acquire Anthony to hold down the point guard position until Kyrie Irving returns from a torn ACL could motivate the team to make the deal.

While Dallas is unlikely to want to send another key player to the Lakers following the backlash from the Doncic trade, Los Angeles could provide the Magic with a solution to their shooting problems. Dalton Knecht showed plenty of upside as a rookie, shooting 37.6% from three-point range.

The Lakers were ready to move on from their 2024 first-round pick after acquiring Doncic and could make him available again this summer. While there are plenty of moving parts, the deal proposed by Pincus seemingly makes sense for all parties.

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