Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

That was the logic behind a trade proposal from ESPN's Tim McMahon on the Friday, May 2 edition of the "Brian Windhorst & the Hoop Collective" podcast, when McMahon suggested the Lakers pursue a second consecutive deal with the Dallas Mavericks after trading Anthony Davis for Doncic back in February.

After the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February, the five-time All-Star met with general manager Rob Pelinka and asked him to trade for a specific player. Doncic wanted to play with a center who was a lob threat since he had success playing with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II in Dallas.