Mavericks' Daniel Gafford trade decision won't be as easy as it seems

Daniel Gafford has been in more trade rumors than anyone else on the Dallas Mavericks over the last few seasons. Gafford has been in trade talks since before the trade deadline in 2025. These talks have continued into this offseason with Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz leading the way.

Mavericks can't just give up on Daniel Gafford

He has been shopped by multiple front offices since he was traded to the Mavericks in 2024, and while many Mavs fans are fine with Dallas moving on from him, this decision is not as simple as it seems.

Gafford remains one of the best backup big men in the Western Conference, and the insurance that he provides behind Dereck Lively II will be crucial for a team that needs to get back on track after missing the NBA Playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

Dereck Lively II's health complicates Dallas' Gafford decision

Lively II seems like the long-term starting center for the Mavericks. He's 22 years old, on Cooper Flagg's timeline, and has sky-high potential. He looks like one of the best young bigs in the league when he's fully healthy, as he protects the rim, catches lobs, switches defensively on the perimeter, and passes well out of the short roll at 7-foot-1. Lively II has all of the tools to be the Mavericks' starter for years to come, but his health has been a massive concern.

He has only played 98 games through the first three years of his career, which is a major problem. Dallas hasn't been able to count on him to remain on the court for extended periods of time, and this is one of the biggest reasons that trading Gafford isn't the easy decision that it once seemed like.

If the Mavericks moved Gafford, they would be putting huge trust in Lively II to stay healthy. If Lively II didn't remain healthy, they would be down to a center rotation of Moussa Cisse, Santi Aldama, and Morez Johnson Jr.

This looks extremely shaky on the surface, especially since Johnson Jr. and Aldama are true power forwards, and Dallas has to be extremely cautious before trading Gafford.

Trading Gafford would come with clear risks

They would be losing someone who has given them steady production over the last two and a half seasons. Gafford, not Lively II, was the team's starting center when they made a run to the NBA Finals in 2024, and he has been a huge part of their identity since being traded to the Mavs by the Washington Wizards.

Dallas doesn't have to make a move before the regular season after buying out Klay Thompson last week, as they are now down to 15 players on standard contracts. This means that Gafford is safe for now, but the team could look to move him if they want more guard depth.

Their backcourt, specifically their point guard depth behind Kyrie Irving, is noticeably thin. Moving Gafford would likely net them a great backup option, making the idea of trading him intriguing.

Regardless, trading Gafford has more risks than benefits, and it's not a no-brainer. Having two starting-caliber centers has been a huge part of the Mavs' identity since 2024, and with Lively II's injury concerns, losing Gafford would be a major blow.

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