If the Lakers Mavericks trade again, the latter will not reunite the Lakers trading target and Doncic

According to Chaitanya Dadwar, an analyst at US sports media F/W. Dallas doesn’t want to include PJ Washington and Gafford in any deal negotiations, NBA insider Mark Stan predicts.

One of the main reasons why the Mavericks entered the NBA Finals last season was that the team was perfectly built around Doncic to eliminate his shortcomings and support his strengths, such as pick-and-roll offense. Gafford and Washington are both teams who complemented the 2023-24 season on the trade deadline, making them a team to compete for the championship. According to NBA insider Mark Stein, it is unlikely that Dallas will allow Gafford and PJ Washington to be part of any deal negotiations. While he did not specifically say they were unwilling to trade them, he predicted that they intend to try to avoid including them in any trading options this summer.

"I'm not sitting here saying they won't be traded...I just think their preference is that they want to find a way without having to give up either. I just don't know if that's possible." Doncic ended after his first playoff appearance with the Lakers ended with a 1-4 loss to the Timberwolves in the first round series with the Lakers. After the Lakers quit, General Manager Pelinka announced their plans to build their own future around Doncic. He identified two key goals in the offseason, a sporty big man and a defensive wing who played alongside Doncic. Among the best names for Doncic, several reports indicate that his former teammates Gafford and PJ Washington fit perfectly with Doncic in the Lakers. Especially considering they went to the NBA Finals together last season.

Therefore, the Lakers' goal is to follow this blueprint and repeat this in Doncic. However, Stan predicts that they will not be able to use the same pieces to do this. Washington averaged 13.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22 games in the 2023-24 playoffs. He played 57 games for Dallas this season, averaging 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Gafford averaged 9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in the playoffs last season, and 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 57 games this season. What will be the next plan for the Lakers?

James' player options and Doncic's contract renewal will largely determine the Lakers' near future. James is not expected to cut his salary this season, as he has already cut his salary once when he signed a two-year contract extension last season. This put Doncic in a tough position as his potential revenue had already taken a serious blow when he was traded to the Lakers. He lost nearly $116 million in potential revenue after trading him in Dallas.

If he stays in Dallas, he qualifies for a super contract renewal of $345.3 million in the summer. He is now only eligible to renew his contract with the Lakers for $229 million. NBA insider Bobby Max predicts Doncic may accept a three-year, $165 million contract to give the Lakers some flexibility, which will cost him another $64 million in revenue, but can help the team have a wider range of options in signings.