The Dallas Mavericks were among the most active teams at the NBA trade deadline, as the franchise has looked to move on from the Nico Harrison era. Most notably, the front office traded Anthony Davis and several other players in a blockbuster deal to the Washington Wizards.
The Dallas Mavericks Wanted A Larger Return For Daniel Gafford
This move marked a clear effort to cut long-term costs and rebuild around rookie superstar Cooper Flagg. There was, however, another big man on the roster that the Mavericks held back on trading, despite his hefty contract. An NBA Insider subsequently explained why this $54,380,290Â center stayed with the team over the deadline.
Daniel Gafford was a phenomenal addition to the 2024 Mavericks roster, playing a key role in this franchise’s surprising run to the NBA Finals. The former Arkansas standout has been a reliable frontcourt piece since then, averaging 10.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 126 regular-season games with Jason Kidd’s team.
This production earned Gafford a three‑year, $54,380,290 extension in the summer of 2025 that runs through the 2028‑29 season. While the Mavericks were looking to cut costs at the deadline, the Davis trade freed more than $70 million in future salary, putting them under the luxury tax line.
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With less to gain by trading Gafford, senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer revealed the front office’s asking price for the 27-year-old.
“Dallas, by contrast, was unable to generate the first-round pick it was seeking in trade talks for Daniel Gafford,” Fischer reported, which prompted the front office to keep their talented center.
One reason Gafford’s market value was not as high as expected was due to his chronic right ankle issues throughout the 2025-26 season. The seventh-year big man has played in 40 of 56Â games and has frequently been listed as questionable due to ankle injury management.
These health setbacks have caused Gafford’s production to dip, as he’s averaging only 8.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks this season. Meanwhile, despite Flagg’s production, the Mavericks are tanking aggressively, having lost ten of their last eleven games.
They currently sit at 20-36 overall with the seventh-worst record in the league. That winning percentage will likely only get worse with Kyrie Irving still out as he recovers from his torn ACL.
Overall, it’s been a fall from grace for the Mavericks, who were consistently in the playoffs when they had Luka Doncic. The franchise lucked into drafting Flagg last season, but it’s going to be a few years before this team is a relevant contender in the West again.
