Insider believes Mavericks $54 million extension could be on trade block

The Dallas Mavericks are in need of some change after a 3-7 start in the first 10 games.

The Mavs hope that change can come from within, but they shouldn't be afraid to seek out a trade or two if things don't improve in the next couple of weeks. NBA insider Marc Stein is reporting that Mavs center Daniel Gafford should gain interest from other teams for a trade.

"The Mavericks knew they would field trade interest in veteran center Daniel Gafford from the moment they signed him to a three-year, $54.4 million contract extension in late June that was the maximum that the Mavericks could pay the 27-year-old and keep him trade-eligible during the season through the Feb. 5 trade deadline," Stein wrote.

"External interest in Gafford is sure to surface, league sources say, but the Mavericks to this point have not entertained the idea of trading him. How could they with Dereck Lively II, their would-be center of the future, limited to just three games played thus far due to a knee sprain?"

Could Mavs trade Gafford soon?

The Mavs have plenty of reason to trade Gafford, especially with the plethora of big men on the roster. The team has Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and Anthony Davis, and a need for some ball-handling.

Gafford is possibly the best option to be traded out of the players above because Washington just signed a pricier extension, while Davis is the best player on the roster aside from No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg and future Hall-of-Fame point guard Kyrie Irving.

A Gafford trade makes sense, but the Mavs have to be smart when it comes to the price. General manager Nico Harrison might not be around for long, so the Mavs could go in a new direction than where he has taken the roster, but the logic is there for a trade very soon.