Mavericks predicted to risk it all with another heartbreaking trade spree

It's been a ride for the Dallas Mavericks for the last 16 months. Since February of 2024, the Mavs knew they had to make a move to not waste star talent in Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Unfortunately, those guys didn't grow enough together (by Nico Harrison's standards) and only got to play in one full season together. In that full season, they helped get the Mavs to the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years.

Part of that also had to do with the midseason acquisitions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. Gafford has been one of the NBA's best energy guys, dominating his opponents and becoming one of the NBA's best shot blockers. Washington has been a promising young forward who has roots in the DFW area, and his ability to expand his offensive game in Dallas has been remarkable. Now, it's time to start thinking about the harsh reality of one, if not both, guys being shipped out this summer.

With the Mavs getting the No. 1 pick in Cooper Flagg, the Mavs might have to make room in their frontcourt by giving up one of their fan favorites. Now, in comes a nightmare scenario where both of their fan favorites might be headed out the door in trades.

Washington and Gafford's futures in Dallas are suddenly in jeopardy

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report lays out the foundation for every NBA team's toughest financial choice this offseason. Even though drafting Flagg is anything but tough, it comes with the question of who could be traded to make room for Irving's future. The answer might just be a heartbreaking trade that Mavs fans would not like. Pincus projects that Irving signs a three-year deal to remain in Dallas, but also predicts the Mavs will trade Washington and or Gafford.

Even though Gafford has denied rumors of looking for a major pay raise, it's understandable why he deserves starting center money. With Dereck Lively II in the mix, the Mavs are expected to move forward with him, being the youngest center with so much star potential. Flagg in the pick-and-roll game feeding lobs to Lively II seems like a match made in heaven, and of course, both were young stars at Duke.

Washington has been expanding his offensive game, no doubt. He's also struggled with the one thing derailing him from star material: 3-point shooting. He needs to start excelling in this role before Nico Harrison might start calling for other teams to come shop, and his inconsistency in this area could be what leads to him getting traded, as the Mavericks desperately need more shooting.

Nonetheless, an NBA Finals appearance wouldn't have happened without both of these guys. Both Washington and Gafford helped find an identity. It makes sense for one to get traded due to the frontcourt logjam, but certainly not both of them. It would be a heartbreaking offseason if that happened, as both players have been became beloved fan favorites over the last year or so.

Trading two players who mean so much to the Mavericks' identity would be an extremely risky move by Harrison, and Mavericks fans will be praying that at least one of Gafford or Washington is on the roster to begin the season.