Mavericks deadline rumors throw three veterans into the inevitable trade fire

The NBA trade deadline is just three days away, and the Dallas Mavericks have three players that they need to move on from, if possible, in an effort to acquire expiring contracts and draft capital. Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and D'Angelo Russell have all been in trade rumors over the last few months, and Dallas could acquire some significant assets if they handle this correctly.

NBA insider Marc Stein confirmed the rumors that have been floating around for months now about Russell, Thompson, and Gafford (subscription required) on Sunday, saying the Mavericks are "explor(ing) potential moves involving Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson and D'Angelo Russell."

This differs from their stance on Anthony Davis, as they will "welcome any trade interest that surfaces for Davis between now and Thursday's 3 PM ET deadline but feel no pressure to move him and are prepared to proceed with him on the roster beyond the deadline." It's known that Davis wants to remain in Dallas until at least the offseason before switching teams again, which is a major possibility, but the Mavs need to take a different stance with the other aforementioned veterans.

Three veterans stand in the way of Dallas' looming Cooper Flagg era

It's time for the Mavericks to fully begin building around Cooper Flagg to put him in the best spot possible to contend for titles as soon as possible, and many pieces on this roster are not long-term fits around him. On top of the questionable fit, the Mavs have to make some moves to steer clear of the second apron this summer.

With Anthony Davis likely staying put, trading at least one of these three veterans for expiring contracts seems inevitable, and Davis' hand injury truly put the Mavericks in a bad spot as they try to prepare for a future with Cooper Flagg.

While Thompson and Gafford have each had excellent moments in Dallas, and could play real roles in Dallas moving forward, it makes the most sense to trade them now.

Thompson, in particular, has been excellent since arriving in Dallas in the summer of 2024, but his timeline and desires do not fit what the Mavericks are building toward right now. He wants to contend for titles, and with him being less than a week away from turning 36 years old, Dallas is not the place for him. Especially with them potentially shutting down both Davis and Kyrie Irving for the year.

With Gafford, it has looked like he'd be a trade chip since the second he signed a three-year extension over the offseason. This extension barely avoided a six-month trade restriction that would've kept the Mavs from trading this season, but he has been trade-eligible all season long.

It has been widely reported that Gafford is the most likely Maverick to be moved this season, and these reports, combined with his decline in production, may signal that a trade over the next few days is inevitable. His regression this season has been impossible to ignore, and while it all could be attributed to his recurring ankle injuries, Dallas is obviously trying to get ahead of the curve and avoid his once-team-friendly contract turning into a negative asset if his downward spiral continues.

Several teams need a new big man ahead of the deadline, and Gafford's name should generate plenty of interest over the next few days.

Conversely from Thompson and Gafford, finding a new team for Russell is going to be much harder. He has played in just one game since December 27, that being Dallas' game against the Chicago Bulls on January 10.

The outlier from this game? Jason Kidd was ejected in the first quarter.

Russell has clearly fallen out of favor with Kidd, as he won't even play him during blowouts. The only reason that Russell played against Chicago was because Frank Vogel stepped in to coach after Kidd's ejection, and the Mavs' hunt to find a new home for Russell won't be easy.

The Milwaukee Bucks are one team that has shown interest in trading for him, but Dallas would likely have to give up second-round draft capital to convince the Bucks to take on his contract.

Even though teams are searching for reserve guard help, the Mavs aren't doing themselves any favors by benching Russell. They aren't even giving him the chance to prove that he has an ounce of positive value, and with him having a player option for next season, it's going to take a miracle for a team to take him on without him showing he can be a rotation player.

The Mavericks have plenty of time to strike up deadline deals for anyone on their roster outside of Flagg, Kyrie Irving, and P.J. Washington (although they prefer not to trade Max Christie and Naji Marshall), and trading Gafford, Thompson, and Russell should be at the top of their priorities.