Mavericks' Daniel Gafford trade rumors open door to draft solution

The NBA Draft is quickly approaching, and the Dallas Mavericks are weighing every option. Some ideas the team is considering include trading their No. 9 and or No. 30 overall picks to move up or down in the draft. Another possibility is trading one of their veteran players, like P.J. Washington or Klay Thompson.

Another player Dallas has on the trading block is Daniel Gafford. The veteran center has been tangled in trade rumors three separate times for the Mavericks, so could this be the final time?

Signs point towards the Mavs finally parting ways with their beloved big man, even though he played a key role in helping Dallas advance to the 2024 NBA Finals. Assuming the team finally parts ways with Gaff, his trade rumors bring an intriguing draft scenario into play. Most fans would expect the Mavs to replace the big man through a trade or free agency, but Dallas can instead get younger and draft his replacement if they move on.

Some big names to weigh are Aday Mara, Henri Veesaar, and Tarris Reed Jr. The draft is an option the Mavs should strongly evaluate, especially considering their frontcourt would take a massive hit if they traded Gafford.

Mavericks' center position lacks stability

Daniel Gafford was a tremendous boost for Dallas during the 2024 playoffs. He and Dereck Lively II helped revamp the Mavs' center position, a spot they struggled with for many seasons. Their presence significantly improved Dallas' defense and made life easier for Luka Doncic through their pick-and-roll game.

Yet, two seasons later, Gafford hasn't been the same. His production has declined since the infamous Doncic trade. To put things into perspective, Doncic is a generational talent who can easily make those around him better. He helped turn Gafford into an efficient lob threat and finisher at the rim.

The biggest issue, though, has been Gafford's injury history; the 6-foot-10 center has proven to be a liability in the frontcourt. Last season, he missed 27 games due to a persistent ankle injury that occurred during the start of training camp.

Things consistently got worse from the start of the season, and the issue persisted until the end of the year. The Mavs' big man missed three games in December and five games in January due to ankle issues. He then dealt with a shoulder injury that kept him out of the final stretch of the season.

Gafford's counterpart, Dereck Lively II, has also struggled to stay on the court. He missed 75 games last season, and Mavericks fans are unsure what to expect from him going into next season.

This is why Dallas should strongly consider getting a center through free agency or the draft. Gafford will likely be dealt, and the team can't rely on Lively II to be available. If they decide to go the draft route, it brings an intriguing scenario into play.

The 2026 NBA Draft could solve Dallas' frontcourt issues

The NBA Draft provides a perfect solution to the Mavericks' center issues. As stated, Gafford is expected to be traded, and Dallas will need to add another big man. The draft has many young prospects who could come in and fill his void.

Some big-name prospects to consider, who are also attainable, are Mara, Veesaar, and Reed Jr., and even Morez Johnson Jr. Each one of them brings plenty of youth and skill to the table, as they could help provide stability at the center spot if Dallas moves on from Gafford.

Mara, for instance, was a huge contributor to Michigan's 2026 National Championship title run. His elite playmaking and efficiency around the basket make him one of the top center prospects. One thing that stands out is his passing skills and high IQ. He does a great job finding teammates, cutting to the lane, and using his height to overpower defenses. If Dallas were to draft him, Mara would be an automatic steal who would compensate for Gafford's absence.

Veesaar and Reed Jr. would also help solve the Mavs' Gafford dilemma. Veesaar has one of the purest NBA-ready jumpers at the center position, as he made 42.6 percent of his attempted 3-pointers last season. Analysts have also highlighted his 7-foot-two wingspan, making him difficult to score on.

Critics have also been raving about UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. during the pre-draft process. His physicality and strong rebounding skills could easily make him an upgrade over Daniel Gafford if he continues to improve. His potential is high, and he is definitely being too overlooked ahead of the draft. Against Ferman in the NCAA Tournament, he posted a double-double with 31 points and 27 rebounds. He couldn't be stopped in the paint.

So, Dallas has tons of draft options to make up for Daniel Gafford's absence if he is traded. The Mavs desperately need assistance if they move on from the former Arkansas Razorback, and fans can only hope the team makes the right decisions on Tuesday night.

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