TORONTO — This wild 3-team Raptors trade idea would completely reshape rotation dynamics for Toronto, Dallas, and Los Angeles as training camp approaches. The rat race in the NBA never stops. Teams are always looking to make moves on the margin to get better.
The NBA offseason is the best opportunity to do that, and most teams have made moves they think will take them in that direction. Now in late August, momentum has died down, but that doesn’t mean front offices aren’t making calls, trying to get the final piece or two. This proposal falls exactly in that category: a final piece of the puzzle for all three teams involved in this trade concept.
Trade Breakdown
Toronto Raptors Receive: Daniel Gafford ($17.2M)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: RJ Barrett ($29.6M)Jarred Vanderbilt ($12.4M)2031 2nd-Round Pick (via WAS)2032 2nd-Round Pick (via WAS)2033 2nd-Round Pick (via WAS)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: P.J. Washington ($19.8M)
Why the Raptors Do This Trade
Toronto remains in flux, waiting for the Kawhi Leonard trade saga to officially conclude as the investigation wraps up. Even with Leonard expected to join, Toronto remains thin in the frontcourt—so thin that they were forced to deploy 6-foot-8 rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles at center during their first-round playoff series back in April.
Daniel Gafford could step into the starting center role or provide high-impact minutes off the bench behind Jakob Poeltl depending on matchups and head coach Darko Rajaković’s prerogative. Gafford appeared in 55 games last season while dealing with lingering injuries, averaging 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in just 21.7 minutes per game. He is an explosive, high-impact presence in short spurts. Adding his verticality and rim-running ability gives Rajaković an essential new dimension for his egalitarian offense.
From an advanced metric standpoint, CleaningTheGlass data highlights Gafford’s localized impact on both ends:
Gafford posted a +4.3 differential in 2024–25 (75th percentile) with Dallas. His offensive rebounding rate sits elite at 5.5% (+5.5% differential, 94th percentile), giving Toronto crucial second-chance opportunities.
Gafford consistently holds opponents to lower shooting percentages at the rim, ranking in the 86th percentile in defensive points allowed per possession (-2.8 diff) during his 2023–24 Washington/Dallas runs. His presence will boost Toronto’s perimeter switching scheme by providing a reliable backline shot contest.
Why the Mavericks Do This Deal
The Lakers Mavericks dynamic creates an intriguing opening for Dallas to re-tool. The Mavericks get a bonafide number-three scoring option in RJ Barrett, who can comfortably carry the offense when starters like Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg rest. Dallas fielded a bottom-five offensive rating last season; placing the entire shot-creation burden on Irving and an inexperienced supporting cast is far too lopsided.
Barrett proved his ceiling during a dominant first-round playoff performance, averaging 24.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. CleaningTheGlass.com on/off numbers further illustrate his offensive utility:
During his run with Toronto, Barrett’s presence generated a massive +5.0 points per 100 possessions differential (86th percentile in 2023–24) and a +4.4 differential (86th percentile in 2025–26). His effective field goal percentage differential hit +4.2% (97th percentile), reflecting elite scoring efficiency when operating with floor spacing.
The Lakers front office also send over three future second-round picks (2031, 2032, and 2033 via Washington) alongside defensive specialist Jarred Vanderbilt to replenish Dallas’ asset cupboard and wing depth.
Why the Lakers Do This Trade
The Lakers have been actively searching for a proven starting power forward to complete their summer makeover, and who better than someone who has already excelled in that exact role alongside Luka Dončić?
P.J. Washington experienced a down shooting year last season as Dallas struggled through a rebuilding environment, but his synergy with Dončić is well-documented. Alongside Luka, Washington can recapture the formula from their 2024 NBA Finals run, providing versatile floor spacing, secondary creation, and tough forward defense. Reports have already consistently linked Los Angeles to Washington as a primary trade target this summer.
CleaningTheGlass tracking illustrates what Washington brings when properly utilized:
During his peak 2023–24 stretch in Dallas, Washington generated a +3.3 points per 100 possessions differential (79th percentile) on offense, while posting an eFG% differential of +1.7% (77th percentile).
While his shooting percentages dipped in 2025–26 during heavy usage minutes, reuniting with Dončić in Los Angeles places him back into a low-usage, high-efficiency playmaking ecosystem where his corner three-point shooting and weak-side rim protection shine.
Find me on X: @f_rederic_k
[…] scheme that rewarded individual shot creation while slowing tempo to a crawl. The arrival of May as Mavericks head coach dismantles that offense. Dusty May shapes a system around three core […]
[…] does that mean? The Raptors obviously won’t get the Clippers punishment. But Leonard could face fines and/or a voided […]
[…] Angeles prefers a proven starting-caliber forward, executing a P.J. Washington Lakers trade via a three-team framework remains the ultimate pivot. Reports linking L.A. to secondary options do not change the underlying […]