Mavericks could be forced into heartbreaking trade to keep title hopes alive

The Dallas Mavericks' biggest hole this offseason was the backup point guard spot, as Kyrie Irving is set to miss a large chunk of next year with a torn ACL, and they addressed this need by signing D'Angelo Russell and re-signing Dante Exum. These moves are poised to bolster the Mavs' backcourt, as Russell is expected to run the show while Irving is out, but their moves to add guard depth may not be enough.

The Mavericks were in some trade rumors for guards such as Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball, and Collin Sexton, and if Russell, Exum, and Brandon Williams aren't enough to hold down the fort, they may be forced to trade Daniel Gafford.

Dallas signed Gafford to a three-year contract extension this summer worth around $54 million, and it just happened to narrowly avoid a six-month trade restriction that would've kicked in if his contract were just a little bit bigger. This detail is interesting when thinking about the Mavs' plans for this season, and we'll quickly know if Dallas did enough to help replace Irving's production while he is out.

Dallas could have no choice but to make this controversial trade

Earlier in the offseason, Dallas made it clear that they didn't want to trade Gafford, and even though he seems to be a key part of their future plans as he is under contract until after the 2028-29 season, things could change quickly if Dallas' bold plan for their guards falls through. Gafford was just in some trade rumblings last season, and they don't have as much depth as people realize. Trading Gafford may be one of their only options to land a high-level ball handler and creator before the trade deadline, and this type of move could make or break their season.

Dallas needs another guard who can create their own shot and run the offense when needed, and since they have an excess of frontcourt depth, Gafford may be the odd man out. The Mavericks already have Dereck Lively II, Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, and P.J. Washington at power forward and center, and with Davis being a franchise cornerstone and Lively II being a young piece that the Mavs can utilize to build around Flagg, Gafford may be their best bet to get better at guard immediately.

Every team needs a dominant big man down low, and the Mavs happen to have three of them. This is a luxury that every team wishes they had, but this surplus could end up leading to a trade that would have fans up in arms.

Last season for Dallas, Gafford averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 70.2 percent from the field. His skills around the basket had clearly improved, and his energy always remained high.

The 2024-25 season was easily one of the best seasons of his career, and Nico Harrison having to punt on him right as his new contract begins would be a nightmare for Mavs fans. Not only did Gafford help give Dallas the boost they needed to reach the 2024 NBA Finals, but he also became a fan-favorite big that the entire city loves.

The American Airlines Center erupts with cheers every time Gafford scores a second-chance bucket or grabs multiple offensive rebounds on the same possession, and he has been one of the few bright spots that the organization has seen at the center position in the 21st century. The Mavericks have hardly ever had multiple elite centers on the roster at the same time, and if Russell, Exum, and everyone else struggle to begin the season, Harrison could be forced into a tough decision.

Having multiple elite creators on your roster at the same time is a necessity in today's NBA, and Dallas could end up needing all the help they can get in the backcourt after refusing to trade for a guard. Unfortunately, that could come at the cost of Daniel Gafford.