Many agree that the Charlotte Hornets could benefit from seeking an upgrade at center. But what if Charlotte adds a starting-quality option in Daniel Gafford from the Dallas Mavericks by sending them back a player and a draft pick it got from them last year?
Thomas Gorski of Sports Illustrated raised the idea of the Hornets acquiring Gafford and shipping Josh Green and the Mavs' 2027 first-round pick back to Dallas alongside Tidjane Salaun. As many remember, Charlotte received Green in the Klay Thompson blockbuster deal last summer, while it obtained the said draft selection in the P.J. Washington swap at the 2024 trade deadline.
Perhaps the only reason Dallas would agree to such a trade framework is that it would regain its first-rounder in 2027, although the value of the draft asset is not that high anymore after the Mavs won the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes this summer and pulled off other impressive roster moves. However, they probably wouldn't be too keen on landing Green, whose stock has taken a hit due to his injury and inadequacy as a 3-and-D piece, and Salaun, given their current logjam at the frontcourt.
On the other hand, the Hornets would probably be intrigued by the idea of having someone like Gafford anchoring their paint.
Daniel Gafford would give Hornets a major boost
Some might be wondering, though, why Dallas would ever think of shipping the 26-year-old elsewhere after it had just agreed to an extension with him this offseason. However, that recently signed contract is exactly why it would be easy for the organization to trade him if it wanted to.
The Mavs were able to extend Gafford for three years and a total of $54 million, and because it didn't breach the 120-percent raise rule, they could ship him elsewhere as early as now. And his annual average salary of around $18 million is pretty affordable for any team wanting his service.
If he is available — and that's a big if — Charlotte should try to poke around and gauge the kind of return Dallas would want in exchange. In theory, Gafford would fare quite well with the Hornets' core, particularly LaMelo Ball, because of his motor, interior defense, pick-and-roll prowess, and efficiency in scoring.
The only potential concern would be his health, as he is coming off a season where he appeared in just 57 games because of injuries to his ankle, shoulder, and knee. Even so, he doesn't deserve to be labeled with an injury-prone tag after three straight campaigns of playing in at least 72 contests prior to the 2024-25 season.
Would Gafford be worth three of the Hornets' trade pieces? Certainly, but unfortunately, the Mavs might view it differently.