Lakers' 'no-brainer' Daniel Gafford trade idea would be a nightmare for Mavericks

Tyler Watts of Lake Show Life has put forward a "no-brainer" trade idea involving Daniel Gafford, but the Dallas Mavericks should firmly decline. The deal would send Gafford to LA in exchange for guard Gabe Vincent, a 2026 first-round pick swap, and a 2031 first-round pick. On the surface, it seems like a good deal for the Lakers. For the Mavericks, it looks like a disaster in the making

Gafford is coming off one of his best seasons and just signed a three-year, $54 million extension that keeps him in Dallas through 2029. Last season, he averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while converting extremely well near the basket. He also started 66 games and was a dependable frontcourt option despite injuries occurring across most of the roster. With Gafford’s solid production at a reasonable cost, Dallas has little reason to trade him, especially for such a lackluster offer.

Vincent is the main piece in the Lakers’ package, but he isn’t the steady solution Dallas needs in its backcourt. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency last season, averaging just 6.3 points and 2.1 assists per game on 37 percent shooting. Bringing him in doesn’t significantly help the team, and a couple of late or distant picks hardly make up for losing a proven rim protector. The Mavericks would effectively weaken their current roster for a potential future benefit, and that risk doesn’t make sense given where they stand right now.

Daniel Gafford is too important for Dallas to make this trade

The Mavericks don’t have to look far to understand why keeping Gafford is important. He played a key role in their 2024 NBA Finals run, bringing toughness, rim protection, and a reliable lob threat. His chemistry with guards and ability to play alongside Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington, and Cooper Flagg add a unique dimension to the team. In a Western Conference where big men matter, trading away one of your best interior defenders is a risky move.

There’s also the issue of depth. Dallas may look stacked in the frontcourt with Dereck Lively II, Davis, and Flagg joining Washington, but big men tend to miss time. Lively II is still developing, Davis has a lengthy history of injuries, and Flagg is just a rookie. Gafford provides the stability and insurance this group needs. Remove him, and the margin for error shrinks considerably.

Aside from basketball reasons, this trade would reflect poorly. Mavericks fans supported Gafford throughout the Finals run and appreciated his hustle and energy. Trading him for Vincent and distant picks would be seen as giving up on a player who helped lead the team’s deepest playoff run in over a decade. That kind of decision doesn’t build confidence in either the fanbase or the locker room.

Financially, keeping him makes more sense. His extension is team-friendly compared to his production, giving Dallas cost certainty in a position that is becoming pricier on the open market. Trading him now (especially for this return), before his value peaks, would be poor timing.

This Lakers’ proposal only benefits Los Angeles. For Dallas, it would strip away one of their most reliable players for a return that doesn’t reflect his true value. If the Mavericks ever decide to trade Gafford, they can find a much better deal than this. The best choice would be to close the door on this hypothetical trade and keep building around him in their frontcourt.