Mavericks finally sign Daniel Gafford for $105 Million from Wizards
Through his 37 games with the Wizards this season, Gafford has notably been one of the best weapons on the pick-and-roll with Tyus Jones, being fifth in the entire NBA when it comes to scoring frequency (77%), and first among players playing over 25 minutes per game.
Alongside Luka Dončić and Irving, Gafford will have the opportunity to shine playing in the pick-and-roll.
If the trade package is accepted, this deal looks like a no-brainer for the Mavericks, as they will be trading away a third-string center and a late first-round pick for a starter-caliber player who fits in the offensive system like a glove, while also being an improvement on the defensive end, as Gafford is a good drop coverage defender.
According to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III, the Mavericks are among several teams in the NBA that have shown “great trade interest” in acquiring Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons.
Like is the case with the deal with the Wizards, the Mavericks could try to include a bigger deal surrounding Stewart, possibly for Bojan Bogdanović, as an improvement at the forward positions, by adding in great outside scoring to the team that ranks 15th in the entire league in three-point efficiency.
Stewart, who’s been starting alongside fellow center, Jalen Duren, has been making a positive impact, playing significant minutes as a power forward. Standing at just six-foot-eight, Stewart is a dominant force through his physicality, but unfortunately, is a less-able rim protector.
Offensively, he’s also quite limited with his interior finishing touch, while still taking his time developing his outside scoring.
Salary wise, the Mavericks would have to do some gymnastics in order to fit Stewart long-term, as the young center recently signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension starting next season, meaning he’ll be receiving $15 million annually with a team option on the last year.
All things considered, it would be a great option for the Mavericks, as they’d thrive with an imposing presence on the interior, even if Stewart isn’t the greatest shot blocker, his sheer physicality alone would be a much-needed improvement on their interior defense.
Regardless of who Dallas trades for, they are at the center of the NBA trade market this season as they try to capitalize on their duo of Doncic and Irving.
