Mavericks should be comfortable trading Daniel Gafford thanks to hidden gem's rise

Moussa Cisse was one of the Dallas Mavericks' biggest hidden gems last season. The undrafted rookie from Memphis averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in just 13.9 minutes while shooting 57.4 percent from the field. His energy, rim protection, and athleticism were at a high all season long, and his strong first season in the NBA should make the Mavericks much more comfortable trading Daniel Gafford this summer.

Dallas signed Cisse to a two-year deal after he spent all of last season on a two-way contract, and he looks like he'll be a key piece of the Mavericks' young core moving forward. He's just 23 years old, and with Dereck Lively II's health and Gafford's uncertain status with the team, he's poised to grow even more.

Cisse definitely deserves more minutes next season, and his path to a bigger role will be even easier if Dallas trades Gafford. The Mavericks should be more willing to trade Gafford due to the potential that Cisse showcased, and a Gafford trade seems likely at this point.

Why a Daniel Gafford trade makes sense for the Mavericks

He has now been shopped by three different front offices, and the rumors have picked up even more this offseason. Dallas has been looking to trade Gafford for multiple years, and the Mavericks re-signing Cisse to a two-year contract gives them insurance if they finally move on from him this offseason.

On top of the undeniable trade rumors that have followed Gafford for multiple years, Dallas has to make a move before the start of next season to get their roster down to 15 players on standard contracts. Trading Gafford or Klay Thompson seems like the most likely moves, and the Mavericks could actually benefit from moving on from Gafford.

Not only would this open up more opportunities for Cisse to play, but it would also get Gafford's three-year, $54 million contract off their books. This deal could quickly turn into a bad one if Gafford's injury issues persist into next season, and getting ahead of the curve could be a major advantage for the Mavericks ahead of the 2026-27 season.

What Cisse's role could look like if Dallas trades Gafford

If Dallas trades Gafford, Cisse would have a great chance to claim the backup center spot behind Lively II. Lively II's injury issues would also mean that Cisse could start some games, and Dusty May should be comfortable giving him such a role.

Cisse's improvement from last summer's Summer League to now is massive, and if he continues to grow at this rate, the Mavericks may have found themselves a rotation-caliber big man in undrafted territory last summer. He quickly made a name for himself with his high-flying dunks, blocks, and hustle, and the writing on the wall for Gafford could become even clearer if Cisse takes another step in his development.

Cisse's offensive game still has plenty of room to grow, as he is limited to being just a rim runner at this point, but the Mavericks should bet on his future by trading Gafford and letting the Moose run free.

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