In a stunning turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks are on the verge of making another franchise-defining move—this time involving the potential trade of rising star center Daniel Gafford.
Following the jaw-dropping outcome of the NBA Draft Lottery that handed Dallas the No. 1 overall pick, expected to be used on generational prospect Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks’ front office is reportedly weighing a bold post-draft maneuver that could send shockwaves through the fanbase.
The selection of Flagg, who’s anticipated to sign a four-year, $62.7 million deal, pushes the Mavericks beyond the league’s second tax apron. To stay competitive and financially flexible, general manager Nico Harrison may have no choice but to explore tough trade scenarios—including moving Gafford.
Though he’s become a fan favorite with his shot-blocking and rim-running prowess, Gafford is now being considered expendable due to overlapping skill sets with Flagg and the need for financial breathing room.
Industry insiders suggest the Mavericks could shop Gafford to teams with ample cap space, like the Brooklyn Nets, in exchange for a first-round draft pick and additional assets. Such a deal wouldn’t just alleviate salary cap pressure—it could also provide the Mavericks with the opportunity to draft a young, high-upside guard to complement Flagg and support the roster while Kyrie Irving recovers from his ACL injury.
“The Mavericks are aggressively exploring backcourt options in the draft,” a league source revealed. Names like Walter Clayton Jr., Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Jase Richardson, and Tyrese Proctor have all emerged as possible targets should the Mavericks land an extra first-rounder. These guards offer promising skillsets—ranging from Clayton Jr.’s late-game shotmaking to Demin’s elite vision and size at the point.
While parting ways with Gafford would be an emotionally tough pill to swallow, especially after his recent contributions, it could be the strategic pivot Dallas needs to ensure long-term success around Flagg. With Anthony Davis and Irving both approaching the twilight of their careers, the Mavericks appear to be setting the stage for a youth-infused rebuild—one that begins with the high-risk, high-reward trade of a beloved big man.
