The Los Angeles Lakers came back down to earth after winning five consecutive contests with a depleted roster, as they suffered a 122-102 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

Still, the organization sits at 7-3 through 10 games and has gotten off to a positive start without their 40-year-old superstar, LeBron James (sciatica).

That said, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley believes that if the Lakers want to take another massive step toward championship contention, they should pull off another blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks.

“If they’re (Lakers) hoping to contend for the crown, they clearly need more from their defense (21st in efficiency, per NBA.com) and their center spot (where Deandre Ayton has a dismal minus-14.5 net differential),” Buckley wrote Monday.

“Why not attack both birds with a single stone? Because an aggressive trade for Luka Doncic’s former running mate, Daniel Gafford, might do the trick. It feels like a no-brainer from L.A.’s side.”

“Ayton’s play has been up-and-down, and he isn’t the kind of spring-loaded rim-runner who would work best with Doncic and other downhill playmakers like James and Austin Reaves.”

“Gafford clearly is that kind of player, though. And the Lakers already know he can thrive with Doncic, as the two started alongside one another on the Dallas Mavericks’ 2023-24 Finals team.”

The Lakers haven’t hesitated to appease Doncic since he arrived in Los Angeles in February.

The franchise has allowed successful businessman Mark Walter to acquire a majority stake, signed defensive-minded guard Marcus Smart, and paired Doncic with a starting-caliber lob threat in Ayton.

Why not continue to remain on Doncic’s good side by trading for his efficient 6-foot-10 former Dallas Mavericks pick-and-roll partner?

If the Lakers don’t want to implement a two-big lineup, they could bring Gafford off the bench and use him as a second-unit spark plug whose energy never wanes.

The Arkansas product is averaging 8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game this season, shooting 73.1% from the field in five contests.

Gafford will likely be on Los Angeles’ radar until the Feb. 5 trade deadline passes.