Mavericks can't afford to let this rumored trade haunt their summer

After an injury-riddled season due to constant re-aggravation from a right ankle sprain suffered in training camp, Daniel Gafford is playing his best basketball of the season for the Dallas Mavericks. With Gafford heading into the first year of a three-year $54.3 million contract extension next season, he could be a huge trade chip for Dallas this summer, given his recent surge in play, but the Mavericks can't jump the gun on this conclusion, considering Dereck Lively II's injury history.

The 22-year-old Lively II undeniably has more potential than Gafford, but Lively II will have been available for less than 40 percent of regular-season games once his third season in the league wraps up here in the next few weeks, as his career has gotten off to an extremely unfortunate start in the injury department.

Part of this could be due to how Dallas' medical staff mismanaged the stress fracture in his right ankle in the 2024-25 season, as this was the same foot on which Lively II later got surgery in this season, but regardless, the sheer amount of lower-body injuries for a 7-footer this soon in his career is very alarming.

Lively II's injury woes make trading Gafford extremely risky

Gafford may be 27 years old and has dealt with his own injuries this season, but he hasn't missed elongated stretches and has been more reliable than Lively II when it comes to staying on the court through his career thus far. Gafford may not have the length or potential to stretch the floor that Lively II could have one day, but he's more physical, still a great rim protector and athlete, and has solid post-up and seal ability.

With Gafford being in his prime and being on a fair market value deal, he'll definitely have his fair share of suitors after this season if Dallas starts shopping him, as his burst and physicality have definitely gotten back to the level Mavericks fans are accustomed to as of recently. He's had multiple double-doubles over the past handful of games, including games of 20 or more points in three of his last four contests, as he's often looked like Dallas' best two-way player on the roster over the past few games.

Dallas has options if they trade Gafford — but none are reliable

If Dallas selects a big man with their presumptive lottery pick or at the end of the first round of the NBA Draft in June, perhaps parting ways with Gafford wouldn't be as burdensome considering they'd have increased assurance should Lively II continue to have injury woes, but otherwise trading Gafford would definitely carry some risk unless Dallas got a solid big in return for him.

The Mavericks could also explore running a small-ball lineup with P.J. Washington at the five more often next season, should they deal Gafford, but it's hard to see a lineup like that working for long and sustainable stretches. Gafford and Lively II sharing minutes at the center spot mitigates the risk of injury for both of them, so the Mavericks have to make sure they are making a high-value play if they do trade Gafford this offseason, especially since he's back to his old self on the court.

Overall, it will be interesting to see what the Mavericks ultimately do in terms of trading or keeping Gafford, but they must have a good plan in terms of having another solid big man to play when Lively II is on the bench.

Perhaps this could be two-way contract signee, Moussa Cisse, or someone they trade Gafford for, but Gafford's certainly no slouch, and has proven to be more effective than Lively II through both of their respective tenures in Dallas, despite Lively II having more potential.