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
Bravo, agreed. As usual, my attempt at humor fell flat. Dallas fans were certain they’d upgraded by swapping out Jones for Klay last summer.
Well, upgraded with Klay AND the other dude who plays like Jones at half the price..
True, that was their full story. But Klay was promised the starter role, which had been Jones’, and that means Klay must play alongside Luka and Kyrie. Lo and behold, that don’t work.
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
Crunch, 100%.
The denial about Klay’s decline outside of Warriors last summer was fascinating. Every Warriors fan saw that Klay couldn’t stay in front of anybody last season. But it was clear that Dallas saw it differently. Kidd & Nico insisting publicly that Klay still had it, and that he left GSW for personal reasons. Then Cuban joined in.
This story doesn’t end happily. I can’t see how Dallas wants 2 more yrs at $18M/yr. He’s at 13 pts / 27 mpg this season, but still starting, which is everything to him. Next season, Klay comes off the bench.
Thibs wouldnt play him regardless
Dallas defense is better than I expected but Luka has been out a lot of games.
If you checked, this slide by Dallas was driven by injuries. They are not the same team prior to the Doncic injury.
Saying that this is due to Klay, Luka and Kyrie playing together shows lack of information on the Mavs. Maybe stick to posting on Dubs related news
Gary Payton plays perimeter defense lol.
Gary, would you do Slomo and Payton for Gafford?
YES !!!! I would.
Would the Warriors do it? Would Dallas do it?
I think it would help Dallas‘ defense overall. I think it would help the Warriors because he’s over 6-6.
I’m looking at Gafford’s 70% from 2p range and drooling…TJD and Looney bricking layup after layup is destroying my soul…
Dallas aren’t helping the warriors.
I guess you missed the Klay Thompson trade
Nrg82, I think in the past that might have mattered, especially in baseball, perhaps helping a team in your division is against the unwritten rules.
But the Mavericks are ahead of the Warriors at this point, and I don’t think Dallas would be concerned with a team below them. At least that’s my opinion.
I don’t think acquiring Daniel Gafford propels Golden State above Dallas anyway. They need more than a 6-10 back up center on a playoff team.
Gafford, Maxi K, Marshall, Grimes, Powell , Prosper and Hardy plus picks for Jimmy Butler
Heat waives three players first. D Smith(injured), Richardson and Burks
Mavs sign Bismack Biyombo, Marcus Morris and Fultz
How about no?