Daniel Gafford trade proposal is so bad that Mavericks must shut it down immediately

Since being acquired in a trade from the Washington Wizards in 2024, Daniel Gafford has become a fan favorite with the Dallas Mavericks. Gafford first got the Mavs faithful on his side by helping the Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals as the starting center.

Gafford has become an integral part of Dallas' frontcourt rotation with Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and Anthony Davis, and now with Cooper Flagg is in the mix. With three solid big men, defense is key for the Mavericks in the future.

Even with less than one month before the 2025-26 NBA season begins, some projections and rumors will be going around for teams to make last-minute moves to round out the roster. There has been speculation surrounding Gafford potentially being traded in packages with different teams, as he was just in legit trade rumors last season. However, there was one new trade idea surrounding Gafford that would be a waste of time for the Mavericks to even entertain.

Mavericks wouldn't even pick up the phone for this trade

On September 15, Charlotte Hornets writer on Sports Illustrated, Thomas Gorski, had an idea for the Hornets to make a trade for Gafford from the Mavericks. However, it's one that the Mavericks should hang up the phone on immediately and not even consider it.

Losing Gafford would be a huge loss for the Mavericks, but the return from the Hornets isn't the best either, considering the production Gafford has on a nightly basis. It wasn't the first time a rough trade was projected between the Mavericks and Hornets. This past June, a trade was proposed that would send Davis to the Hornets.

Gafford's production is solid on both ends. While averaging under 22 minutes per game last season, Gafford's 12.3 points per game were the highest in his NBA career for a single season. Gafford is also able to block shots, rebound the basketball, and play well in the paint. Trading Gafford would put an end to Dallas' strong depth with its big men, and there wouldn't be any depth behind Lively II.

The return from Charlotte would be a huge risk as well. Green is a player the Mavericks are familiar with, as he spent the first four years of his career in Dallas. During that time, Green had problems with inconsistency, constantly dealt with injuries, and he couldn't be relied upon as a starter. In the end, Green averaged 6.4 points per game in his Mavericks career and never panned out to be the player Mavs fans hoped he'd be when the team drafted him with the No. 18 overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Salaun played in 60 games last season as a rookie in Charlotte and went on to average below six points per game. Taking on a youngster who would get buried in Dallas' rotation as they push for a title right now would make zero sense, and even though he has some potential, he wouldn't get the reps he needs on the Mavericks.

While Dallas could get their 2027 first-round pick back in the trade that they sent to Charlotte as part of the P.J. Washington trade, the pick may not have much value if the Mavericks turn into a serious contender by 2027. With Flagg on board, Dallas could be monsters in the West by 2027. Flagg has already been projected to have a dominant start to his career.

More projections surrounding potential Gafford trades will be made ahead of the regular season, but Dallas shouldn't give up on their new double-big plan before it truly begins. This season will be a big prove-it year for Gafford to show he can be on the Mavericks roster for years to come. Gafford will turn 27 years old on October 1, and he could take another big step in 2025-26 as he enters his prime.