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Lakers Could Miss Out on 2 NBA Trade Targets After Mavericks Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Ishaan Bhattacharya | Last updated Feb 4, 2026 2:31 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers (30-19) are expected to be among the buyers at the 2026 NBA trade deadline. The franchise is sitting 5th in a competitive Western Conference and could have room to improve with even marginal changes to their lineup. They're trying to build for the Luka Doncic era, and there are potential trade targets who fit their needs.

However, some players could greatly help the Doncic timeline, but they might not be available for trade to the Lakers. The Dallas Mavericks, who sent the Lakers Doncic for Anthony Davis last year, are reportedly not looking to engage with the Lakers in any trade talks after the deal they agreed upon last February, according to The Athletic's Dan Woike.

This is bad news for the Lakers, who have been linked to Mavericks center Daniel Gafford and forward Naji Marshall.

"Naji Marshall has also generated interest around the Lakers, though the pathways to any deal with the Dallas Mavericks after the Luka Doncic trade last season have gigantic 'road closed' signs all over them. The same is probably true for Daniel Gafford."

Gafford and Marshall are both former Doncic teammates and would be ideal fits around him. Gafford is averaging 8.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks this season while Marshall is averaging 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) controls the ball in front of Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) during the game at the American Airlines Center. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Lakers have already been linked with players like Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe as a complementary addition, while rumors of summer interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo also mounting.

Lakers Hoping To Replicate Mavericks' Team-Building Around Luka Doncic

Even though it took the Mavericks until the 2023-24 season to build a contender around Doncic, they laid out the formula for success with the Slovenian guard running the show. This included a roster full of wings and bigs who could excel in their role playing off Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Gafford almost set the record for the second-most consecutive field goals upon joining the Mavericks before the 2024 trade deadline, as he played perfectly off Doncic and was a crucial part of their Finals-reaching squad. Marshall joined the franchise in the summer of 2024 and proved to be a great multi-faceted forward next to Doncic who could fulfil any role asked of him.

Even if the Lakers can't acquire the exact pieces the Mavericks put around Doncic, they can try to recreate their player profiles. This explains targetting a center like Sharpe in Brooklyn as an alternative to someone like Gafford.

With moves being made rapidly around them, the Lakers will have to move quickly to tangibly improve their team before the deadline is up. With the Mavericks already moving on from Anthony Davis, the Lakers need to maximize the time they have with the 26-year-old Doncic.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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