The Mavericks were active in trade talks ahead of the deadline, but when it came to moving Daniel Gafford, negotiations hit a wall - and it all came down to draft capital.
Dallas was looking to land a first-round pick in this year’s draft in any potential Gafford deal, but both the Pacers and Hawks backed off when it came time to put one on the table. Indiana wasn’t willing to part with its 2026 first-rounder, and even with two first-round picks in that same draft, Atlanta didn’t budge either.
That’s telling, especially considering the 2026 class is already drawing buzz as a strong one. Teams are clearly placing a premium on those picks, and Dallas wasn’t going to settle for less.
There was also some traction between the Mavericks and Pacers around a possible swap involving Bennedict Mathurin, but that didn’t gain much momentum either. Dallas wasn’t interested in taking on Mathurin, who’s extension-eligible and would’ve added a significant cap hit this summer.
The Mavs are clearly keeping an eye on their financial flexibility heading into the offseason. Eventually, Mathurin was rerouted to the Clippers, and Indiana got its big man in Ivica Zubac.
So Gafford stays put in Dallas - and for now, that’s a good thing for the Mavericks. With Dereck Lively II sidelined for the season, Gafford is the only true center on the roster outside of two-way player Moussa Cisse. And while Gafford's injury history has to be monitored, he’s still a productive presence in the middle when healthy.
Since arriving in a 2024 trade deadline deal that helped spark the Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals, Gafford has been a steady contributor. He’s logged 37 appearances this season, starting 27 of them, and is averaging just over 21 minutes a night. In that time, he’s putting up 8.2 points, 6.5 boards, and 1.4 blocks per game - all while shooting an efficient 63.4% from the field and 75.5% from the line.
He’s not a flashy name, but Gafford provides rim protection, vertical spacing, and physicality inside - all things Dallas needs, especially with Lively out. The Mavericks may have tested the market, but holding onto Gafford might prove to be the smarter play for a team still trying to find the right balance between competing now and planning for what’s next.