Daniel Gafford would be a good target for the Lakers but they’d probably have to overpay to get him, Jovan Buha of The Athletic said on his podcast (hat tip to Basketnews.com). Buha speculated that it would require a package of Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht and a first-round pick to get Dallas’ attention. Gafford will make $14.4MM in the final year of his contract next season, making him a prime trade candidate on a team with frontcourt depth.
We have more from the Western Conference:
- Camryn Carter (LSU), Tyrese Proctor (Duke). TJ Bamba (Oregon), Jahmai Mashack (Tennessee), Alexander Toohey (Sydney) and Mohamed Diawara (Cholet) worked out for the Kings on Monday, James Ham of The Kings Beat tweets. Toohey, a forward, is rated No. 36 overall by ESPN and Proctor is No. 43 on their Best Available list.
- The Jazz are promoting Marquis Newman to director of pro scouting and Katie Benzan to GM of the NBA G League’s Salt Lake City Stars, Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype tweets. Newman has spent 11 years with the Jazz. Benzan, who was hired by Utah in 2022, will become the second current female GM in the G League.
- There’s hope for the Jazz if they take their cue from the Pacers and Thunder, Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune opines. They should study how these teams were built and developed and their style of play, Monson writes, to establish a blueprint for another small-market franchise like the Jazz.
Vincent, Knecht & a 1st would be a golden return for Dallas for Gafford. As I’ve said many times I’d much rather trade Reaves than Knecht if I’m LAL.
(former Laker great) Jordan Clarkson & Walker Kessler & a future protected 1st to LAL for Austin Reaves
Utah gets their (all-star level?) lead guard for the next 5+yrs. They can use their #5 pick to replace Kessler with Queen or Maluach.
Lakers get their starting 5 for the next 5-10yrs. They also replace Reaves with a exp vet bench scorer in Clarkson who has exp playing with Bron. They also help replenish their low draft assets.
Reaves and Luka are a liability on defense. Luka needs a guy like Dyson next to him. To make it work in LA. The oneWay Wonder is all offense. They will never win in playoffs.
So who should they trade Reaves for?
No way Utah gives up a 23 year old plus tack on a 1st for Reaves’ expiring who will want to be paid 30MM a year. If anything, LAL would have to throw in a 1st for that trade to happen.
Utah would be glad to pay $30M for a all-star level pg that they could give the ball to & pair w/ Lauri for the next 5yrs. They’re not gonna be able to go to the next level (playoff contender) until they get that pg spot straightened out. I figure Utah wouldn’t do it unless they talked to Reaves agent about an extension. Jazz are the ones getting the best player in the deal, a prime all-star level guy. So giving up 1 of their many future 1sts, esp one on the low end value wise to fill such an important hole on their team wouldn’t be a big deal.
You aren’t getting Kessler for Reaves straight up.
What do you think Utah should do at pg?
Please, Nico will take just Gabe Vincent, an end of the bench filler and a 2nd round pick. Mavs should happy Nico is not including Lively.
Lively has injury concerns though
The real question in LA. Is why does Jaxson Hayes still look like the sane player. Who was drafted in 2019. Does anyone even care. Hukporti has been with Knicks one year. And he looks better now than when drafted LAST in the draft. Looks much better than Hayes. And hes bern in the L 6 yrs now. Lakers should hire Thibs just to help their bigs lol.