Trade rumors intensify, but Mavericks refuse to part with unstoppable duo

The Dallas Mavericks sit at 13-8 and are in fifth place in the Western Conference heading into tonight's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Luka Doncic has officially returned to the lineup after missing five games with a right wrist sprain, and having him back should help provide a major morale boost to the team to finish 2025.

Doncic had a dominant return against the Portland Trail Blazers as he finished with 36 points, but the chatter about his return has quickly been overshadowed by trade talk from around the NBA.

The Mavs are a team that is expected to explore avenues to improve before the February trade deadline, and they are reportedly going to look to move Maxi Kleber. Kleber has been a speculated trade candidate by fans for some time now, and while the Mavs will look to trade Kleber, they have turned down offers for two other players so far in this early season.

Mavericks don't want to trade Lively II or Gafford

According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, teams around the league have called Dallas to see if they'd be willing to trade Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford, but these offers have "been met with initial resistance for now." The Mavs are not looking to trade either part of their dominant center duo for the time being, and they seem to value both players extremely highly.

Teams tried to trade for Lively II last year too, and once again, the Mavs refrained from moving him. Lively II may even be considered untouchable for the Mavs right now as he was last year, and although he is injured right now with a knee hyperextension, he has been massive for Dallas all season long.

This season, Lively II is averaging 8.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 70.7 percent from the field, and his defense and finishing around the rim have been superb. He has added a hook shot with either hand to his bag, allowing him to be much more reliable in the post.

Gafford is having a strong season as well, and he has been excellent as a starter and when coming off the bench. He is averaging 12.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 72.5 percent from the field, and just like Lively II, he has been excellent around the rim. Gafford's strong playstyle and ability to rise up and finish even when the defense is draped all over him is excellent, and he has thrown down some thunderous posterizing slams over the first quarter of this season.

Gafford's focus on his fitness and putting on muscle over the summer has been pivotal for his development, as he has been much better and overpowering defenders in the paint. He is a more dominant force this year, and it doesn't sound like the Mavs want to trade him or Lively II even though teams around the league are intrigued with them.

Lively II and Gafford's dynamic at the center position has turned a former weakness of the Mavericks into a strength, and they are crucial to the team's success. Neither player cares if they start or come off the bench, and they are truly happy for one another when the other is playing well.

This pride-free and selfless approach is hard to find for two guys who play the same position and are starting-caliber centers, and Dallas is looking to keep this two-headed monster rolling heading into the new year even though the calls are rolling in.