Mar 31, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) and Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) battle for the rebound during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

'Shopping Him for Future Assets is an Approach to Weigh Strongly' – Dallas Mavericks Urged to Consider Moving $54.4 Million Star This Year

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Nov 11, 2025 7:23 AM ET

The Dallas Mavericks’ 2025-26 NBA campaign is already falling apart, as they have the second-worst record in the Western Conference at 3-8, and the team is urged to add to its draft capital ahead of next year’s NBA Draft.

In his latest column, Marc Stein urged the Dallas Mavericks to consider shopping Daniel Gafford, who has three years and $54.4 million left on his current contract, as he believes that the 27-year-old center has a robust trade market.

“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?” Stein wrote.

Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (left), center Daniel Gafford (center), and guard Quentin Grimes (right) celebrate on the team bench during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

“A case thus can be made, perhaps sooner rather than later, that shopping one of their most attractive trade candidates (Gafford) for future assets is an approach to weigh strongly when the next draft offers an opportunity to get lucky again,” he added.

Dallas Mavericks News: Nico Harrison’s job is in jeopardy, insiders claim

The Dallas Mavericks have turned from being a title contender to a cellar dweller in the past few months. And given their slow start this season, the team is reportedly considering sacking one of its key front office members.

FACT CHECK: Nico Harrison Is Eyed By The Lakers As New GM 7 Feb 10, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison walks off the court before the game between the Dallas and the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

“There’s a whole lot of things that ain’t good with the Mavericks. And hey, at this point, I believe it is a matter of when, not if, Nico Harrison will be fired,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said about Nico Harrison on The Hoop Collective. “There is a very, very strong likelihood that it will be mid-season.”

“I’m told a challenge Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont faces in weighing Nico Harrison’s status is a big-picture question: If Dumont determines a change is inevitable, someone else should be making roster decisions ASAP,” Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend added.