{"id":119060,"date":"2025-11-12T02:10:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T02:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=119060"},"modified":"2025-11-12T02:10:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T02:10:35","slug":"%f0%9f%8e%af%f0%9f%8f%80-lakers-mavericks-trade-rumors-heat-up-speculation-swirls-about-a-potential-blockbuster-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=119060","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udfaf\ud83c\udfc0 Lakers-Mavericks Trade Rumors Heat Up\u2014Speculation Swirls About a Potential Blockbuster Deal!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The\u00a0Los Angeles Lakers\u00a0came back down to earth after winning five consecutive contests with a depleted roster, as they suffered a 122-102 loss to the\u00a0Atlanta Hawks\u00a0on Sunday.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

That said, Bleacher Report\u2019s Zach Buckley believes that if the Lakers want to take another massive step toward championship contention, they should\u00a0pull off another blockbuster trade\u00a0with the\u00a0Dallas Mavericks.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf 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),\u201d Buckley wrote Monday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAyton’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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cGafford 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The Lakers haven\u2019t hesitated to appease Doncic since he arrived in Los Angeles in February.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Why not continue to remain on Doncic\u2019s good side by trading for his efficient 6-foot-10 former Dallas Mavericks pick-and-roll partner?<\/p>\n

If the Lakers don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Gafford will likely be on Los Angeles\u2019 radar until the Feb. 5 trade deadline passes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Los Angeles Lakers\u00a0came back down to earth after winning five consecutive contests with a depleted roster, as they suffered a 122-102 loss to the\u00a0Atlanta Hawks\u00a0on Sunday. 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