The NBA trade deadline is heating up, and the Dallas Mavericks could be in prime position to make a move fans have been dreaming about for a while now. With the Chicago Bulls suddenly flush with backcourt talent following a pair of notable trades, the door may finally be open for Dallas to land Coby White - a name that's been on the Mavericks' radar and in fans’ imaginations for some time.
Let’s set the scene. The Bulls just pulled off a surprising flurry of moves, sending veteran center Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons.
That came on the heels of acquiring Jaden Ivey from the Detroit Pistons. All of a sudden, Chicago’s guard room is overflowing - and someone’s going to be the odd man out.
Enter Coby White.
White is in the midst of a strong season, averaging 18.5 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting just under 44% from the field. Sure, the efficiency hasn’t been elite, but his ability to create off the dribble, push the pace, and knock down shots makes him a compelling fit next to a young star like Cooper Flagg in Dallas. The Mavericks have been on the hunt for a dynamic guard who can share ball-handling duties and stretch the floor - White checks a lot of those boxes.
And the Bulls? They might be just as motivated to make a deal - not because White isn’t valuable, but because the roster crunch is real.
With Ivey and Simons now in the fold, minutes are going to be hard to come by, especially for a guard on an expiring contract. Rather than letting White walk for nothing this summer, Chicago could look to flip him for a piece that fills a more pressing need.
That’s where Daniel Gafford comes in.
The Mavericks center has had an up-and-down season, but there’s still a lot to like about his game. He’s a rim-running big who can protect the paint, finish lobs, and bring energy off the bench - or potentially in a starting role.
While he’s fallen out of favor in Dallas due to inconsistent play and a lack of chemistry with the team’s current guards, Gafford’s skill set is exactly what Chicago could use. And let’s not forget, he’s no stranger to the Windy City.
Gafford spent the first two seasons of his career with the Bulls before being traded, so there’s already familiarity on both sides.
From a roster construction standpoint, this trade just makes sense. Dallas gets a scoring guard with upside who can help ease the offensive burden on Flagg and give the Mavericks another weapon in the backcourt. Chicago gets a defensive-minded center who can anchor the paint and provide a vertical threat for their new-look guard rotation.
It’s the kind of move that addresses real needs for both teams - not just a swap of talent, but a reshuffling of pieces that better fit each squad’s current direction.
With the deadline fast approaching and front offices around the league looking to fine-tune their rosters for the stretch run, a Coby White-Daniel Gafford swap feels like the kind of deal that could come together quickly. Both players have value, both teams have needs, and the timing couldn’t be better.
Keep an eye on this one. It might not be the blockbuster of the deadline, but it could be one of the more balanced, win-win trades we see - and for the Mavericks, it could be the guard upgrade they’ve been waiting for.