Lakers' predicted trade offer to Mavericks should send Dallas running for the hills

With two weeks left before the NBA Draft officially begins, the Dallas Mavericks are finally set to meet with presumptive No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. While it's unknown what exactly the Mavericks and Flagg will talk about, it's safe to assume Dallas will make it their top priority to keep Flagg happy the second he walks in the door.

Flagg won't just instantly become the face of the franchise in Dallas, but his defensive expertise will already make the Mavericks one of the top contenders in the West during his first season. With Flagg on board, the Mavericks will need to focus on their future while also remaining competitive in their current championship time frame, which may require a home run trade this offseason.

Many fans have been quick to label multiple Mavericks as tradeable pieces, including Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, but all signs are hinting at the team wanting to hold onto both players. While it's unlikely the Mavericks will be able to retain both Washington and Gafford, it may be in their best interest to explore trades with rival teams.

Dallas must avoid Lakers' trade offer for Daniel Gafford

Since the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers just before the trade deadline, the two franchises have been locked in constant fan-made speculation. With the Lakers in desperate need of a center and the Mavs' logjam at the big man position, it only makes sense for the two teams to discuss a potential trade this offseason.

Since the end of the season, Gafford has been one name fans constantly throw in trade talks (especially since he was in trade rumors last season), and with a contract extension being in play this offseason, it may make sense for the Mavs to ship the fan-favorite center. The Lakers might seem like the obvious choice, but after a rumored trade package created by Lakers' beat reporter and writer for The Athletic, Jovan Buha, it may be best for both teams to stay away from one another.

"They would probably have to overpay," Buha said on the Buha's Block Podcast. "It would probably have to be something like... Gabe [Vincent], Dalton [Knecht], and a first for Gafford. And that's a lot."

For both squads, this is a trade that doesn't make sense.

For the Lakers, they would be giving up Vincent, who is a tradable contract, while also packaging a future first-round pick and a promising wing in Knecht. While in the Mavericks' eyes, they would be getting little to nothing in return for Gafford, who can be the potential difference maker for a team looking to punch their ticket in as a contender.

Dallas' top need this offseason, outside of drafting Flagg and extending Kyrie Irving, is trading for or signing a guard to man the offense while Irving remains sidelined with injury. In this deal, the Mavericks would be getting back Vincent, who is capable of running Dallas' offense but hasn't proven he can be healthy for lengthy periods.

The Mavericks would also be getting back the Lakers' 2029 first-round pick and Dalton Knecht, who was Los Angeles' first-round selection last season. To some, this may seem like a fair deal, but considering how badly Nico Harrison got fleeced the last time he dealt with Rob Pelinka, it may be best for the Mavericks to stay clear.

Dallas will still be on the hunt for a guard capable of carrying the offensive workload while Irving rehabs, but staying clear of the Lakers unless they want to include Austin Reaves in trade talks would be in both teams' interest.