The Dallas Mavericks have been no stranger to trade rumors over the last week or so, and the Mavs seem like they are still focused on upgrading at the power forward position.
Dallas has reportedly shown interest in P.J. Washington, Miles Bridges, and Jerami Grant, and they have been linked to several players from the Washington Wizards, a team whom Dallas made a blockbuster trade with two seasons ago.
Dallas has reportedly shown interest in star forward Kyle Kuzma, and they've also shown a level of interest in Daniel Gafford, according to a report by Action Network's Matt Moore.
Dallas Mavericks show trade interest in two Wizards frontcourt players
NBA Insider Marc Stein also reported that Dallas has shown interest in Gafford (subscription required) "months ago" along with Deni Avdija.
Dallas has now been linked to Gafford twice this season, with this being the first time they've been linked to Avdija. Both players would help Dallas considerably, with Avdija fitting the mold of the type of player that Dallas seems to want.
This season for the Wizards, Avdija is averaging 12.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 34..8 percent from downtown. Avdija can create for himself off the dribble, shoot off the catch, and is a very underrated passer.
Adding a player who can handle the ball and has the type of size that Avdija has would be massive, and Dallas could look to re-engage in the trade talks they had with Washington a few months ago.
Gafford, on the other hand, would give Dallas another elite rim protector next to Dereck Lively II, and they would no longer suffer when Lively II has to miss a game or is on the bench. This season, Gafford is averaging 10.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game.
His defense is elite, and his touch in the paint has also developed over the last few years. Gafford's contract is affordable, and he is locked up for the next two and a half seasons.
For all the latest news and rumors on the Dallas Mavericks and their rumored trade talks with the Washington Wizards, stay tuned.