Lakers trade pitch lands Luka Doncic's former teammate to add even more depth

Jon Conahan

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Lakers trade pitch lands Luka Doncic's former teammate to add even more depth image

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the more promising teams in the NBA to start the season, mainly behind what they've been able to get from some of their depth. 

However, as the Lakers get LeBron James back and Luka Doncic plays for the remainder of the year, barring health, there are reasons to believe the Lakers could use some more help in the depth department. 

When examining ways to do that, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed an idea to bring in another center. Deandre Ayton has played well for Los Angeles, but having more center depth is never a bad idea. 

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The trade: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and a 2031 first-round pick (top-four protected) to the Dallas Mavericks for Daniel Gafford

“The vibes feel pretty great in Laker Land so far, but some numbers suggest this squad might be playing above its heads. After all, it's hard to buy into a championship ending for a team ranked 23rd in defensive efficiency. And it's borderline impossible to imagine L.A.'s center search has concluded when Deandre Ayton has a wholly abysmal minus-14.4 net differential...

“Gafford, whose lob-finishing and interior activity are exactly what L.A. Needs in the middle, has already embarked on one NBA Finals journey with Luka Dončić (on the 2023-24 Dallas Mavericks),” he wrote.

Gafford and Doncic's connection

Bringing in somebody like Gafford would be a good idea for the Lakers. 

He’s already proven throughout his time with the Mavericks that he can be a competent center alongside Doncic, and perhaps even a bit better than that. 

Gafford also wouldn't cost too much, although the first-round pick attached to that could be tough to give up.

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Staff Writer