3 Wing upgrades the Dallas Mavericks should target in a Daniel Gafford trade

The biggest trade rumors of the season for the Dallas Mavericks dropped on Friday as there are rumblings that the Mavs are considering trading Daniel Gafford while trying to acquire a defensive-minded wing, and this comes as a shock considering they were unwilling to move him as of last month.

Gafford has had a rollercoaster of a season so far filled with pits and peaks, and he is currently having to be the starting center since Dereck Lively II is battling an ankle sprain. He has plenty of experience as a starting big, as he started 21 games during the regular season and 22 games in the playoffs, and he had his best game of the season on Wednesday as he finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

Gafford was a key piece in Dallas' run to the Finals, as he provided outstanding energy and rim protection during the Mavs' end-of-season run and into the playoffs, but it sounds like Dallas could be moving on from him if the right deal presents itself.

3 Wing upgrades the Mavericks should target in a Gafford trade

They need one more defensive stopper with some size to gear up for the playoff push, and including Gafford in a trade could convince a team to trade a defensive ace. Having a surplus of perimeter defenders is crucial in the postseason, and Mavs fans know this well considering how important and effective Derrick Jones Jr. was in the playoffs.

Rumors have been bare surrounding the Mavs when it comes to who they've shown interest in, but the right trade for a wing along with another big (if they trade Gafford) could result in the Mavericks getting a needed jolt of energy amid this rough patch.

3. Matisse Thybulle

The Mavs and Matisse Thybulle are almost always getting brought up together when it comes to trade speculation and now may be the right time for Dallas to swoop in and make a deal for him to be their new defensive ace. Dallas' interest in Thybulle reached an all-time high in the summer of 2023 when they signed him to an offer sheet, but the Portland Trail Blazers ultimately ended up matching it.

Thybulle wanted to be a Maverick badly, but he was forced to stay with the Blazers since he was a restricted free agent and Portland matched Dallas' offer. Although he hasn't played this season since he has dealt with multiple injuries, his ankle sprain is expected to be re-evaluated at the end of January.

Giving him a fresh start would be huge for both sides, and he would immediately become one of the best perimeter defenders on the team. Thybulle's length and versatility would give Jason Kidd endless opportunities when it comes to how Dallas could use him on defense, and they could potentially get him for a bargain.

2. Herbert Jones

Mavericks fans' top speculated trade target for the team this season has been Herbert Jones, and if the New Orleans Pelicans were to show interest in Gafford, a trade for Jones would just make sense. Dallas needs one more perimeter defender badly, and they'd be adding one of the best all-around defenders in the league if they could pull this off.

He was top five in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, and his defense has been great this season as well. Jones is averaging a career-high 1.9 steals per game, and while he was healthy, he looked like someone who'd be an amazing fit on any contender.

Right now, Jones is dealing with a torn labrum in his shoulder and will be out indefinitely. If Dallas thinks that he'll be ready to return and make a full comeback before the playoffs begin, this could be a move that the Mavs consider. If not, it may be smart to look elsewhere.

1. Patrick Williams

Earlier today, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the Chicago Bulls are open to trading Patrick Williams (subscription required), and considering his age, contract, and defensive versatility, the Mavericks may be a team that shows interest in trading for him.

This season for the Bulls, Williams is averaging 9.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 37.7 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from downtown. This has been the least efficient year of his young career, and Dallas would be a great spot for him to be himself on both ends of the floor.

In Chicago, he has played tons of power forward, and been effective at it, but his versatility and ability to defend wings and even some guards is undeniable. Dallas would be somewhere where he can show off his entire defensive skill set, and he would give them another defensive piece who can play multiple positions.

Offensively, Williams' 3-point shooting is what stands out the most as he is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter, but he also is an underrated finisher with both hands and a good slasher. Dallas covets forwards who can create for themselves off the dribble, and his self-created drives are an intriguing wrinkle of his game that allows him to be more than a 3-and-D wing.

Williams in the first year of a five-year, $90 million deal with the Bulls, and $18 million annually for a young and versatile wing in today's NBA is a bargain, but Williams' injury history could scare teams away. He is only 23 years old, and he'd be a great player to add to Dallas' young core for years to come, as he has tons of untapped potential that Kidd could unlock.