The Lakers may part ways with the Sharpshooter and make a deal with the Mavericks and the Magic

According to US Sports F/W reporter Gautam Warrior, the Lakers can solve a big problem by parting ways with a sharpshooter in these mock deals.

The Lakers' biggest goal this offseason is to sign a big man at the starting level. They felt so sad when they were eliminated by the Timberwolves in the first round, and Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus made an interesting mock deal for them. Pincus explains how they got Daniel Gafford from the Dallas Mavericks through the Orlando Magic.

Trading Simulation 1 step

Magic: Gafford

Mavericks: 25th pick in the 2025 draft pick Cole Anthony (via the Denver Nuggets)

Trading Simulation 2 step

Magic: Kneckett, $110,000 (via the Brooklyn Nets), $14.4 million trade exception (Gafford), $1.5 million trade exception (Jet Howard)

Nets: Klebel, Howard, 2027 Boston Celtics second round player (via Orlando)

Lakers: Gafford

Pincus added that the Magic will sign Gary Trent Jr. through a non-taxpayer intermediate exception and Tyame Jones through a biennial exception. They will then turn down Mo Wagner and Gary Harris's team options. As for why all of these teams want to make these moves, this really solves a major problem for all of them.

First, as mentioned, the Lakers need a big man, who have shown by this year's deadline that there will be no problem with their breakup with Knecht. Knecht was part of a Mark Williams package deal, but the Lakers later canceled the deal due to medical concerns about the Charlotte Hornets big man.

Gafford averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per game for the Mavericks in 2024-25. He will be a reliable acquisition by the Lakers and a significant upgrade to Hayes. Gafford is also playing alongside Doncic in the Mavericks, and the Slovenian really manages to get him to his best. As for the Magic, these moves help address their biggest concern, namely shooting from the outside. In the first round against the Boston Celtics, they shot just 26.3% from the field from the arc and needed some snipers. Trent and Jones have shot over 40% of their three-pointers this season, while Knecht has shot 37.6% as a rookie. You'll expect him to get better over time.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks need a ball holder after Irving fell due to a torn ACL. The deal will give them Cole Anthony, who averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks per game for the Magic in 2024-25. Those numbers are not good, but thanks to Bancero and Wagner, Anthony doesn't have much ball in the Magic's hands. This is not the case with the Mavericks.

Finally, for the Brooklyn Nets, these moves gave them a reliable young player, Jet Howard, and a second-round draft pick to accept Maxi Cleber's salary. It would be a smart deal for the Nets if they decide not to try to play in the 2025-26 season. So these moves have indeed proven to be good for all of these teams. Time will tell if they will eventually go on this path.