The Dallas Mavericks were one team that many people expected to make a deal ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. They have been linked to a lot of forwards, as they were looking to upgrade on the wings around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
They completed a trade, but it wasn’t for a forward. Instead, they opted to make an upgrade at the center spot. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Mavericks are set to acquire Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards. Richaun Holmes will be heading to Washington along with draft compensation.
This is a nice deal for Dallas, who solidifies their frontcourt with the addition of Gafford. With rookie Dereck Lively II not playing since January 29th because of a nose injury, the team has been lacking at times in the middle.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Daniel Gafford, Richaun Holmes, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks Updates
That will no longer be an issue, as Gafford is a more than capable stopgap option. This season he has averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.2 blocks in only 26.5 minutes per game.
He and Lively will combine to be one tough center combination for opponents to deal with. Both are excellent on the boards and defensively, providing Dallas with excellent rim protection and players capable of switching out on the perimeter. Lively is averaging 7.9 rebounds and blocking 1.4 shots per game.
Acquiring him for Holmes, who was buried on the bench, is a sizable upgrade for Dallas. The Wizards shave a little bit of long-term salary off their books with this deal as Holmes has a player option for the 2024-25 season and Gafford is under contract through 2026. The draft compensation is likely what they were targeting the most as they are in the early parts of a rebuild.
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