Mavericks' rumored trade gamble could unlock a stud rookie they didn't expect

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford has now been in trade rumors for the second straight season, and him getting moved before the deadline could give Moussa Cisse an unprecedented opportunity. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers have already shown interest in Gafford, and the Mavericks have a decision to make about his future.

If they want to make a push for the playoffs this season and avoid tanking, then Gafford needs to be their guy. He has been their most durable big man out of him, Dereck Lively II, and Anthony Davis over the last two seasons, and he already has experience in a playoff setting in a Mavs jersey.

But if they want to jumpstart their rebuild around Cooper Flagg and get as much value as they can for some of their veterans, Gafford may be expendable. He was in some early trade talks last season ahead of the trade deadline, even before the Luka Doncic trade, and his new three-year extension in Dallas narrowly (and likely strategically) avoided a six-month trade restriction.

Moussa Cisse could benefit most if Mavericks trade Daniel Gafford

He has been eligible to be traded all season long, and moving on from him would give Cisse a golden opportunity to develop even faster than he already is. Especially with the uncertainty surrounding Lively II and his foot injury.

There's a chance that Lively II doesn't play another game this season due to the swelling and discomfort in his right foot, and if he doesn't play for the rest of the year and the Mavs trade Gafford and potentially Davis, then Cisse would be expected to get consistent minutes every game.

The Mavs would almost certainly bring back another center in one of these potential trades, but their goals would shift. They'd likely be playing for lottery odds at that point, and Cisse would be able to spead his wings and grow alongside Flagg and Ryan Nembhard.

Nembhard and Flagg both look like stars as rookies, and Cisse could become a force as well if given the chance.

Cisse has been solid in his minutes so far as a rookie, as he is averaging over one block per game despite only playing 10.5 minutes while bringing infectious energy. He was one of the team's most energy-packed players, even during their disastrous start, and his role could significantly increase depending on what the Mavs decide to do at the trade deadline.

Moving on from Gafford would be hard, as he has been consistent in Dallas over the last few seasons, but he could definitely fetch the Mavericks some value if he can get healthy and put together a productive stretch of hoops over the next few months. He sprained his ankle during training camp, and even though he has played in 15 games, he has not looked like himself when on the floor.

Gafford has not had the same explosiveness as fans are used to seeing, and if he can show a rival team that he can stay healthy and play like the Gafford of old, someone is bound to pursue a trade for him.

His team-friendly contract combined with his on-court impact makes him a highly-touted trade target for teams that need a new center, and he should command plenty of interest.

Cisse would be next in line to receive an expanded role, and he fits exactly what the Mavs are trying to do. He plays with energy, protects the rim, is a good lob finisher, and can switch on the perimeter, and these are all necessities for a succcessful big man in Jason Kidd's system.

Cisse has the perfect situation around him and the work ethic to go along with it to become a real impact player in Dallas, and the Mavericks' trade deadline endeavors surrounding Gafford could change everything in this department.