NBA analyst Jake Weinbach named the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics as two of the most likely teams to pursue Daniel Gafford this offseason. The 27-year-old Dallas Mavericks big man is under a $54 million contract and finished the 2023-24 season shooting an efficient 78.0 percent from the floor in 29 games. His ability to set high-ball screens and finish with powerful two-handed dunks helped keep Luka Doncic’s offense humming at a premium.

The Lakers’ interior has been a glaring weakness. Deandre Ayton has shown flashes but his play has been inconsistent, and backup Jaxson Hayes has provided limited impact on both ends of the court. The combination leaves Los Angeles with a clear need for a more reliable rim protector and a player who can complement Doncic’s pick-and-roll game.

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Boston’s frontcourt faces a similar crossroads. The Celtics entered the 2025-26 season with Nikola Vucevic, Luka Garza and Neemis Queta forming a three-man rotation, but Vucevic is expected to move on this summer. Queta and Garza have not consistently produced dependable low-post numbers, leaving the club with a potential void in interior scoring and rebounding.

Gafford’s skill set aligns with both teams’ needs. In Dallas he thrived when positioned on high-ball screens, forcing defenses to collapse and creating clean lanes for the point guard. For the Lakers, a player who can set forceful screens and roll to the rim would give Doncic a more effective pick-and-roll partner. For the Celtics, a versatile rim-runner could add second-chance opportunities and serve as a defensive anchor without sacrificing floor spacing.

“We see the Celtics, Raptors, Hawks, Hornets and Lakers as teams worth mentioning as possible suitors for Daniel Gafford,” Weinbach said, adding that “there’s an increasing likelihood of Gafford being moved this offseason.” If the Mavericks decide to trade the $54 million contract, both Los Angeles and Boston are positioned as primary candidates, each looking to address the interior deficiencies that have limited them this season.

The coming weeks will determine whether Gafford’s lob-ready game finds a home in Los Angeles, Boston, or elsewhere. Both franchises have clear interior gaps, and a move for Gafford would represent a direct attempt to plug those holes while preserving the core of their respective rosters.