Mavericks' most likely trade isn't the player anyone expected

The most likely Dallas Maverick to be traded this season seems to be Daniel Gafford (subscription required), according to a recent report from Marc Stein. This is a name that not many people expected to be at the top of their list with so many whispers going on, but the 6-foot-0 big man finds himself in the middle of trade buzz as the season treks on. The Mavericks are now 4-11 after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves last night, and some big changes could be on the way across the board now that Nico Harrison is gone.

"Daniel Gafford is widely regarded as the most tradeable Maverick between now and the Feb. 5 trade deadline in Year 1 of a three-year deal worth $54.4 million, but the injuries that have frequently derailed Davis and Dereck Lively II add a layer of complication even to Gafford's status," Stein reported.

At this point, many fans thought that Anthony Davis would be the first player to be traded this season after Harrison was fired, but that isn't the case at this point. Even Klay Thompson has been in some trade rumors recently, but Gafford seems like he is first in line.

Daniel Gafford is suddenly Dallas' most tradeable asset

Gafford was always expected to pop up in some trade rumors since the contract that he signed over the summer narrowly avoided a six-month trade restriction, but him being the most likely Maverick to be traded this season is a bit shocking. He has already been in some trade rumors this season, and the Los Angeles Lakers are interested, but fans thought that there was at least a chance that they would hold onto him to anchor the defense.

Dallas needs all of the frontcourt depth they can get, considering that Davis and Dereck Lively II are always out of the lineup due to injuries, and trading Gafford would be a bold bet that those two can stay healthy. So far, Lively II and Davis have combined to play just 10 games due to various injuries, and trading Gafford away would throw Moussa Cisse even more into the fire.

On the other hand, Gafford has played in nine games despite missing the first five games with an ankle sprain that he suffered in training camp, and he has become the most reliable of their three-headed monster when it comes to availability.

It would be smart to keep Gafford if the Mavericks truly want to push for a playoff spot this year, and their outlook on the final stretch of the season could be what keeps him in Dallas or sends him elsewhere.

Everything is on the table ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, and Gafford's time in Dallas may come to an end after nearly two full years if the Mavericks decide to act on these trade talks. He has been a consistent force ever since they acquired him at the 2024 trade deadline, and the Mavericks likely wouldn't have made the NBA Finals that season without him.

At one point, Gafford was an integral piece to Dallas winning games, but if they decide to tear it all down and kickstart the Cooper Flagg era, expect for the Mavericks to shop him around the league.