Dallas may be hesitant to trade with the Lakers but if Los Angeles added a first-round pick, even a protected one, a deal could be made. The Mavericks value Gafford but he seems to be one of the more expendable players on the roster, likely because they don't want to part with P.J. Washington.

Even though the Lakers took a flyer on undrafted center Trey Jemison III, they aren't settling when it comes to finding a viable backup center.

With the NBA trade deadline just a few weeks away from commencing, teams are starting to move themselves into position to potentially make a splash. NBA titles aren't always won at the trade deadline but sometimes the moves made here can change the trajectory of a season.