With the NBA trade deadline looming, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves in a familiar spot-at the center of potential movement. And while last year’s blockbuster that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers is still fresh in everyone’s minds, this time around, Dallas could be looking at something a little more subtle, but still impactful.
One trade idea making the rounds has the Mavericks shipping center Daniel Gafford to the Indiana Pacers as part of a multi-team deal. The framework includes Dante Exum heading to the New Orleans Pelicans, while Dallas would receive Dalen Terry from the Chicago Bulls, a protected 2026 first-round pick from the Portland Trail Blazers, and a trade exception worth just over $11 million.
Now, let’s unpack what that means for Dallas and why Gafford’s name is even in the mix.
First off, the Mavericks’ season hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. Injuries have hit hard, and while the team has shown flashes of what it could be, consistency has been elusive.
Gafford, who signed an extension this past offseason, has been reliable in his role-averaging just under eight points and six rebounds per game while holding down the paint defensively. But the frontcourt is getting crowded.
The Luka trade brought in Anthony Davis, and while he’s battled his own injury issues, he remains a centerpiece when healthy. Add in Dereck Lively II, who’s shown serious upside and is viewed internally as a potential long-term replacement for AD, and suddenly Gafford becomes a bit of a luxury rather than a necessity.
Right now, Gafford is starting because both Davis and Lively are sidelined. But when they return, minutes could be harder to come by.
That’s not a knock on Gafford-he’s doing his job. It’s just a reflection of the roster dynamics.
And for a team that already owes its 2027 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets, tanking isn’t a viable option. So if Dallas wants to retool on the fly, flipping Gafford for a first-round pick and a young piece like Terry starts to make a lot of sense.
Terry, a former first-rounder himself, hasn’t carved out a major role in Chicago but brings defensive versatility and some upside as a developmental wing. Whether Dallas keeps him or uses the roster spot to elevate two-way players like Ryan Nembhard or Moussa Cisse, the flexibility is there. And the trade exception gives the Mavericks added ammunition for future moves.
The bigger picture here is about roster balance and long-term planning. If Dallas is committed to building around a trio of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, then every other move has to support that core. Gafford’s value might be higher to a team like Indiana, where he could play a more prominent role, than it is in Dallas, where he’s likely to be squeezed for minutes once the frontcourt is healthy.
So while this proposed trade might not make headlines like last year’s, it’s the kind of strategic reshuffling that could quietly set the Mavericks up for more sustainable success. Whether they pull the trigger or not, it’s clear the front office is weighing all options-and Gafford’s name is one to keep an eye on as the deadline approaches.