With the trade deadline fast approaching on February 5, front offices around the league are working the phones, and a few names are starting to gain real traction. Let’s break down where things stand with three players generating serious buzz: Daniel Gafford in Dallas, Kyle Kuzma in Milwaukee, and Coby White in Chicago.
Daniel Gafford: The Mavericks’ Most Movable Asset
Daniel Gafford is officially on the trade radar-and not just as a throw-in. Several teams, including the Celtics, Hawks, Hornets, Pacers, and Warriors, have checked in on the Mavericks' big man, and it’s easy to see why.
Gafford brings a valuable skill set to the table: rim protection, vertical spacing, and a nose for the boards. He’s the kind of center who doesn’t need touches to impact the game.
He runs the floor hard, finishes lobs, and holds his own in the paint defensively. In short, he’s the type of plug-and-play big that contenders love to have in their second unit-or even as a situational starter.
What makes Gafford especially appealing is his contract. He’s on a manageable deal, which allows teams to add him without gutting their cap sheet or giving up major assets in return. Combine that with his age and athleticism, and it’s no surprise he’s viewed by many around the league as Dallas’ most tradable piece.
If the Mavericks decide to make a move to retool their roster around Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, Gafford is the name most executives expect to be on the move first. The interest is there. Now it’s a matter of whether Dallas decides to pull the trigger.
Kyle Kuzma: Available, But Not Without a Price
Kyle Kuzma is another name floating around the trade market, and the Bucks have been doing their due diligence. Milwaukee is looking to upgrade its roster, and Kuzma could bring size, scoring, and versatility to a team that’s clearly all-in on contending.
But there’s a catch-and it’s a big one.
Kuzma’s contract isn’t exactly team-friendly, and rival front offices aren’t eager to take it on without some sweeteners attached. That puts the Bucks in a tricky spot. If they want to move Kuzma and get something meaningful in return, they’ll likely need to include draft capital-possibly a future pick swap.
It’s the classic deadline dilemma: keep the player and hope he regains value, or bite the bullet and attach an asset to make a deal happen now.
Milwaukee’s front office has shown it’s willing to be aggressive in recent years, but with limited draft capital left in the war chest, they’ll have to weigh the cost carefully. Kuzma’s availability is real, but moving him won’t be as simple as making a few calls.
Coby White: Drawing Interest as Bulls Eye a Backcourt Shift
Coby White is generating real interest ahead of the deadline-and Chicago is listening.
The Clippers, Hawks, Magic, and Timberwolves have all expressed interest in the Bulls guard, and with good reason. White has shown flashes of scoring prowess, improved playmaking, and an ability to play both on and off the ball. He’s also headed toward unrestricted free agency, which gives Chicago a decision to make: re-sign him, or move him now and get something in return.
Internally, the Bulls appear to be leaning toward a future built around Josh Giddey in the backcourt. That makes White more expendable, even if he’s still a productive piece today. There’s no guarantee a deal gets done, but the window is narrowing.
If Chicago fully commits to Giddey as the long-term answer at guard, White becomes one of the more realistic-and intriguing-guard options available on the trade market. He’s young, skilled, and could help a playoff team in need of backcourt depth or scoring punch off the bench.
Final Thoughts
As the deadline nears, the trade chatter is picking up, and teams are starting to show their hands. Gafford looks like a strong candidate to move, Kuzma’s situation is complicated by his contract, and White’s future in Chicago is tied directly to the Bulls' long-term vision.
These aren’t just rumors-they’re real conversations happening in front offices across the league. And with just over a week left before the deadline, expect the action to heat up fast.