The Mavericks, who remain on the look for an impact perimeter defender, have dangled center Daniel Gafford in those talks, according to Christian Clark of The Athletic.
Clark first reported at the start of the month that Dallas was exploring the idea of pursuing a player who could upgrade the club’s perimeter defense. He mentioned Pelicans forward Herbert Jones at that time, but acknowledged that New Orleans was unlikely to move him.
Jones is now out indefinitely with a shoulder ailment, but prior to that injury, the Pelicans’ asking price for him was “extraordinarily high,” according to Clark, who doesn’t identify any other specific players the Mavs may be eyeing, noting that the options available on the trade market for a needle-moving impact defender may be limited.
Still, Clark’s suggestion that Dallas is open to making Gafford available is noteworthy. The Mavs gave up a late 2024 first-round pick for the veteran big man at last season’s deadline and he helped the team make a run to the NBA Finals, starting all 21 playoff games in the spring.
As effective as Gafford has been since arriving in Dallas, he’s essentially a backup center, averaging a modest 20.0 minutes per game this season as he has taken a back seat to rising second-year big man Dereck Lively. Gafford is contributing 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per night, with a .706 FG%. The Mavs have a -2.0 net rating in his minutes, compared to a +8.1 mark when Lively is on the floor.
It’s also worth mentioning that if Dallas needs to aggregate contracts to acquire a player earning $20MM or more, Gafford’s $13.4MM cap hit could be useful. Outside of Maxi Kleber ($11MM), every other Maverick earning above $4MM is a regular part of the rotation when healthy.
Gafford is under contract for one season beyond 2024/25, with a $14.4MM guaranteed salary for ’25/26. He’s currently back in the Mavs’ starting lineup while Lively recovers a right ankle sprain, which will sideline him again on Friday vs. Oklahoma City.
Klay Thompson to the Clippers for Derrick Jones Jr.
Gafford and fillers for Draymond Green
Dream scenario for Dallas, nightmare scenario for the Clippers
LMAO. Gafford for Jones and Mo Bamba works though.
Wouldn’t Gafford be just as much, if not more, of a supplemental piece with LAC compared to the Mavs? Don’t see how this makes the Clippers better
The devil made me do it. But I had to I had to after Mavs fans spent the summer arguing that Klay + Luka + Kyrie would be fine defensively.
Gotta wonder whether Mavs trade for Klay and let Jones go if they’d known how it would go this season.
Play Grimes more. I know New York wished they still had him.
Dallas solidified their perimeter defense the day Klay was inked. A Luka KI KT combo doesn’t work
Neither did a Reaves LBJ KT combo which was why i was happy to get passed on the day he inked in Dallas
Klay has/had some fits (Orl Philly Hou) come to mind but Dal was never one of them. Nicos made some great moves the past 2+ years but this wanst one of them imo
Thibs wouldnt play him regardless
Dallas defense is better than I expected but Luka has been out a lot of games.
Gary Payton plays perimeter defense lol.