Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[Winter]

Sold.

I think the trade is about right really. That draft pick is probably pretty low as long as Luka is there, and the two players offered don't look a lot different than players we have.

It does give us some currency for future trades though.

[Jym]

@LALMuse
The Lakers would probably have to overpay if they want to get Daniel Gafford per @jovanbuha


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

That'd be amazing
there's just no realistic scenario where we pay him $20 mil or whatever for him to be the 3rd string center 
So trade him before he walks for nothing

[Chicagojk]

I would prefer not to send Gaff to the Lakers. If that is the package the Lakers offer (they don’t have much really) I would rather keep him.

Vincent is a solid role player. Tough and good shooter. Not sure he would break our rotation. He is not a point guard. I have no idea what to think of Knecht. He had some moments but coaching staff had no faith in him it seems. Plus he is already 24. He seems like a player Kidd would not play. Getting a future first though. Although when I say we need to negotiate at a position of strength, that package does very little for me.

[SleepingHero]

@JWeinbachNBA
League executives believe the Lakers were handed a “gift” after acquiring Luka Dončić from Dallas.

It’s important to note — this league-wide sentiment is expected to make it more challenging for the Lakers to negotiate with other teams. If the Lakers engage in trade discussions, the organization may have to “overpay” for certain players of interest on the market.

[SleepingHero]

Sold.

I disagree honestly.

Gafford is quite literally the picture perfect center to pair next to Luka. The lakers getting him transforms that team into a heavy contender. 

While I’d like their 2031 FRP (and we deserve it after what’s happened), I don’t think Vincent or Knecht are worth anything what Gafford brings. So it’d essentially be a Gafford for a 2031 FRP which is 6 years from now. 

If we are trading Gafford, I’d demand Reaves be apart of that deal. Mostly because even if Reaves doesn’t fit here he’d be a good trade chip.

[Jym]

I disagree honestly.

Gafford is quite literally the picture perfect center to pair next to Luka. The lakers getting him transforms that team into a heavy contender. 

While I’d like their 2031 FRP (and we deserve it after what’s happened), I don’t think Vincent or Knecht are worth anything what Gafford brings. So it’d essentially be a Gafford for a 2031 FRP which is 6 years from now. 

If we are trading Gafford, I’d demand Reaves be apart of that deal. Mostly because even if Reaves doesn’t fit here he’d be a good trade chip.

realistically id be fine with one asset on the Knecht, 2031 level 
anything above that is gravy. he's an ok, not great starter on an expiring deal 
Raaves doesn't feel realistic to me at all

[FireNicoHarrison]

That package is trash honestly.
Vincent is a role player, Knecht a 24yo rookie and the first will be very low.

Fuck the Fakers.
Let them in the ground, stop gift players to them.

[Jym]

That package is trash honestly.
Vincent is a role player, Knecht a 24yo rookie and the first will be very low.

Fuck the Fakers.
Let them in the ground, stop gift players to them.

so you think he has way more value now than when we traded for him? back then he netted Holmes and what ended up being the 26th pick in the 2024 draft 
I feel like it'd be similar or even less since he's expiring. any first might be a win

[Kidnova]

so you think he has way more value now than when we traded for him? back then he netted Holmes and what ended up being the 26th pick in the 2024 draft 
I feel like it'd be similar or even less since he's expiring. any first might be a win

I guess if he Gaff really wants to play with Luka, and he should, he could agree to an extension and trade.  I'm no cap expert, but as I understand it he'd be limited to a 2 year extension at around $15M per year, but he'd be an unquestioned starter on a team with Luka and Lebron to feed him.  That would significantly increase his value to the Lakers given their cap situation and his money will match pretty well with Reaves.

[KillerLeft]

I disagree honestly.

Gafford is quite literally the picture perfect center to pair next to Luka. The lakers getting him transforms that team into a heavy contender. 

…offensively. Defensively, they’d be on a dead-end road, imho.

But, whether or not it would be good for the Lakers doesn’t concern me, honestly. I know some disagree, but I don’t believe there’s a big enough future here for Gafford in terms of best-case-scenario role or salary structure. I think they have officially reached the perfect and possibly last time to move him gracefully and get value in return. The perception that he’s an ideal fit with Luka (or a good one, at least) is what makes it plausible that LA might consider a package like that. Many, many teams wouldn’t. 

If you don’t have an interest in the two role players, another team will. Expand the trade so they land somewhere else. Sell them off in separate deals. Whatever. 

Just my opinion, and partially driven by a sneaking suspicion that an unprotected 2031 LAL first might end up being a pretty nice get.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Yes... So Giannis will never play for the Knicks...

You are the sole member of the internet who thinks NYK would not include JB in a Giannis trade.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

This board UNDERvalues Gafford and OVERvalues DLive. Why on Earth would we do a deal to move Gaff, AND TO THE LAKERS NOLESS?

Our frontcourt:
Pure Center - DLive, Gaff
C/PF - AD, Powell
Pure PF - PJ
PF/SF - Flagg, Naji
Pure SF - Martin

DLive - not ready to pull the plug, but he's another 35 missed game season from becoming a backup
Gaff - most effective with a ball dominant distributor (there's a reason LAL would overpay for him)
AD - the most expendable from a role perspective, but next season *should be the highest performer at both ends of the court
Powell - assistant coach taking up a roster spot
PJ - our best switching defender with an improving J, should get 100% of his minutes at PF
Flagg - stud from which the franchise should be centered
Naji - outstanding distributor, good defense
Martin - meh

Given this mix, our best frontcourt starters would be Flagg, PJ, and AD. This leaves our two-headed DLive/Gaff monster rotation in limbo. I'm fine with Flagg and Naji getting the SF and PF/SF minutes.

All this said, I really think DLive is our best piece to move for a young defensive PG.

[Jym]

This board UNDERvalues Gafford and OVERvalues DLive.  Why on Earth would we do a deal to move Gaff, AND TO THE LAKERS NOLESS?

Our frontcourt:
Pure Center - DLive, Gaff
C/PF - AD, Powell
Pure PF - PJ
PF/SF - Flagg, Naji
Pure SF - Martin

DLive - not ready to pull the plug, but he's another 35 missed game season from becoming a backup
Gaff - most effective with a ball dominant distributor (there's a reason LAL would overpay for him)
AD - the most expendable from a role perspective, but next season *should be the highest performer at both ends of the court
Powell - assistant coach taking up a roster spot
PJ - our best switching defender with an improving J, should get 100% of his minutes at PF
Flagg - stud from which the franchise should be centered
Naji - outstanding distributor, good defense
Martin - meh

Given this mix, our best frontcourt starters would be Flagg, PJ, and AD.  This leaves our two-headed DLive/Gaff monster rotation in limbo.  I'm fine with Flagg and Naji getting the SF and PF/SF minutes.

All this said, I really think DLive is our best piece to move for a young defensive PG.

Certainly an option
I'm just afraid his value has tanked compared to what it was a year ago.

[cow]

I disagree honestly.

Gafford is quite literally the picture perfect center to pair next to Luka. The lakers getting him transforms that team into a heavy contender. 

While I’d like their 2031 FRP (and we deserve it after what’s happened), I don’t think Vincent or Knecht are worth anything what Gafford brings. So it’d essentially be a Gafford for a 2031 FRP which is 6 years from now. 

If we are trading Gafford, I’d demand Reaves be apart of that deal. Mostly because even if Reaves doesn’t fit here he’d be a good trade chip.

I'd probably do Reaves without the FRP, but realistically, we should already own that pick.  Reaves would probably be a non-starter for the Lakers and I'm not expecting them to let us rob them like they did with us.  I'd also be fine with your demand and telling them to pound sand when they refute/counter the offer.

[F Gump]

NTI will not be able to extract full value from his hero Pelinka. He's the awestruck fanboy, willing to do whatever RP feels is good for LA.

No matter how much LA wants Gaff, someone else has to negotiate it.

I think Reaves and 2031 pick is fair, but I'd ask for more draft capital. The Knecht/Vincent ideas are awful, filling the roster with extra bodies (when the Mavs need fewer) and useless salary (when Mavs need to get rid of a lot already).

Has Gaffs value gone up since Mavs got him? Yes, considerably. Don't be blind. Playing in WAS is like Siberia. No way to evaluate. Making significant contributions on a good team that goes to Finals is a great boost in desirability.

As for Gaff future salary, whoever wants him traded to flee from a looming 20M salary is inventing the straw-iest strawman ever. No way he gets that, and no way the Mavs have such an absurd worry. (He may be in line for MLE-sized deal, but probably a bit less, which IMO remains good value for his play, and looks like a good chance for an extension this summer in that range IF the Mavs have decided they want to keep him.)

[Mavs2021]

Sam Presti would send AD to the Sixers for PG13 + 3rd pick.

Edgecombe will be a Jaylen Brown level player and AD is breaking down anyway. His contract is just gross.

[FireNicoHarrison]

You are the sole member of the internet who thinks NYK would not include JB in a Giannis trade.

So where Is the problem? Are they already traded Jalen?

We will see...

[Jym]

Has Gaffs value gone up since Mavs got him? Yes, considerably. 

As for Gaff future salary, whoever wants him traded to flee from a looming 20M salary is inventing the straw-iest strawman ever. No way he gets that, and no way the Mavs have such an absurd worry. (He may be in line for MLE-sized deal, but probably a bit less)

So which of those 2 comments is more true?

[omahen]

…offensively. Defensively, they’d be on a dead-end road, imho.

But, whether or not it would be good for the Lakers doesn’t concern me, honestly. I know some disagree, but I don’t believe there’s a big enough future here for Gafford in terms of best-case-scenario role or salary structure. I think they have officially reached the perfect and possibly last time to move him gracefully and get value in return. The perception that he’s an ideal fit with Luka (or a good one, at least) is what makes it plausible that LA might consider a package like that. Many, many teams wouldn’t. 

If you don’t have an interest in the two role players, another team will. Expand the trade so they land somewhere else. Sell them off in separate deals. Whatever. 

Just my opinion, and partially driven by a sneaking suspicion that an unprotected 2031 LAL first might end up being a pretty nice get.

Good thinking. I am surprised how quickly people forget Gafford was not really a great fit on defense, especially in the playoffs. Lakers have limited assets and many holes to fill, so I don't think they will be spending everything they have on Gafford. He is a borderline starting center on expiring deal and even an unprotected alone FRP is a high price for such a player. I don't think a deal between Lakers and Mavs is likely.

[omahen]

So which of those 2 comments is more true?

A player who is a MLE level guy is worth Reaves, FRP and then some more? That is funny