NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Predicted to 'Overpay' Nico Harrison for $40.2M Center

Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison could engage in offseason trade talks after the infamous Luka Doncic deal, as the Mavericks could help the Lakers in their search for a center. Dallas boasts one of the top starting-caliber big men in the NBA in Daniel Gafford, who is in the final year of his $40.2 million contract.

Gafford will make $14.4 million in 2025-26, making him a realistic target for LA, especially with the Mavericks having a frontcourt logjam with him, Dereck Lively II and Anthony Davis. Gafford is also likely to demand starting-caliber center money, which Dallas might be hesitant to pay.

It could be the perfect opportunity for them to get valuable contracts and assets in return. As easy as it sounds, it might be just as expensive for the Lakers, as per insider Jovan Buha.

In Thursday's episode of his podcast, "Buha's Block," the team's beat writer for The Athletic predicted LA to overpay for Gafford to appease Nico Harrison.

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

(9:20 onwards)

Daniel Gafford might be the right piece next to Luka Doncic, but he's not worth a haul the Mavericks might ask from the Lakers. It also stems from the backlash that Nico Harrison and Co. received after seemingly offering LA an affordable price for Doncic in February, which included Anthony Davis, Max Christie and just one first-round pick.

Vincent, Knecht and the 2031 pick, even if protected, would be an overpay for Gafford, considering the Lakers' lack of assets. Vincent has a valuable contract since it's expiring, while Knecht is a budding sharpshooter who is only in his second year.

Meanwhile, the 2031 pick is the only unprotected first-round pick the Lakers will have until next offseason. The Mavericks will also fill a need with Vincent because of their lack of depth in the point guard position, making it a lopsided deal.

However, it might be the one that helps ease the tension on Harrison and his front-office crew because of the optics.

Lakers insider Jovan Buha high on Nic Claxton

The Lakers have also been linked with Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton. Insider Jovan Buha is high on Claxton's prospects, particularly because of his fit next to Luka Doncic and his strengths that corroborate with coach JJ Redick's switching schemes.

Buha also debunked the notion around Claxton's post-defense, saying he can hold his own despite having a relatively lanky build. The insider cited that the Lakers had the best defense in the NBA for 24 games last year with Jaxson Hayes as the starting center, who has a similar archetype as Claxton.

Claxton would be a massive upgrade on Hayes, so LA's ceiling would be significantly higher. The only issue is the Nets' asking price and other teams in need of a center contending with the Lakers in Claxton's sweepstakes, who still has three years left on his contract.