Why Daniel Gafford's Contract Extension In Dallas Could Be Good for the Lakers

Mavericks center Daniel Gafford signed an extension with Dallas on Monday afternoon. Initially, reporting had the contract worth about $60 million over three years, which because of the totally arcane CBA rules would have made Gafford ineligible to be traded for six months. Bad for the Lakers, because it pulls a realistic center target off the market, and raises the price for everyone else. Then, more news. Turns out that deal is worth about $54 million over three years. And the difference means that Gafford doesn't have any trade protection and can be moved anytime. While this could raise the price for Gafford a little (the risk of losing him as a free agent next summer would mitigate his value, just as it does Austin Reaves for the Lakers) it also makes him a more appealing target. Were the Lakers to swing a deal, they'd have cost certainty for a 26-year old with some marketable skills, at a position of incredible need. Moreover, it helps keep the price for a player like Brooklyn's Nic Claxton a little lower, because the Nets don't totally have the market cornered. And what about Deandre Ayton? Would Portland move him... and would he be worth a flier for the Lakers? (It wouldn't come cheap.) Meanwhile, LeBron James is back on the floor working out - a good sign for next year - and Alex Caruso is telling the haters to eff off. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Daniel Gafford signs an extension. Good deal for LA? SEGMENT 2: Gafford or Claxton (or Ayton)? SEGMENT 3: Caruso has another ring, LeBron is working out. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OLIPOP Get a free can of OLIPOP! Just buy any two cans in store and they’ll reimburse you for one. Head to drinkolipop.com/LOCKEDONNBA to claim your free can and find OLIPOP near you. SKIMS Shop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com/lockedonnba . Let them know we sent you! After you place your order, select "podcast" in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. OpenPhone Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonnba WayFair Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first year Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.