Mavericks predicted to cut ties with $54M high-motor veteran rim runner, not Kyrie Irving

The Dallas Mavericks are at an interesting crossroads with their organization right now as they try to figure out the best moves for their future. They have a Rookie of the Year in Cooper Flagg, but the biggest question is about what they are building around him.

Kyrie Irving is set to be the point guard, but his time in Dallas may come to an end as early as this season.

“The Mavericks, as we've been writing since mid-June, have consistently swatted away trade interest this offseason in nine-times-an-All-Star guard Kyrie Irving. Rival teams, however, continue to wonder aloud about how firmly Dallas will stick to that stance once the season begins and the next in-season trade deadline on Feb. 11 gradually approaches. The primary factor fueling that curiosity, of course, is that fact that Irving is 34 and Mavericks star forward Cooper Flagg is 19. Not your average age gap between the team's two best players,” The Stein Line’s Marc Stein wrote.

While Irving could be on the trade block soon, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford have also been mentioned. Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney believes it will be Gafford that gets traded.

“Daniel Gafford. (Remaining contract: 3 years, $54 million.) Gafford will be 28 in October, and with the Mavs focused on getting younger, moving him along has been one of the team’s top options. They’re hoping to get a first-round pick for Gafford, but that might be a big ask because of his contract,” Deveney wrote.

The Mavericks have had limited discussions with teams, but they are hoping to at least get a first-round pick in return for Gafford.

“The Mavericks' current asking price in a trade involving Daniel Gafford is a protected 1st-round pick. Gafford is under contract through 2029 making $18.1 million annually. Dallas' big rotation next season could end up being Dereck Lively II, Morez Johnson Jr. and Moussa Cissé," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

Dallas could very well go into a complete reset if the season does not start the way they want it to. The Mavericks are going to give it a run to see if they can be successful, but if not, they could turn the roster over.

However, for Gafford, it just seems like he could be traded at any point, potentially even before the season starts. Gafford has some interest now, but if his price gets lowered, he could have a lot more interest.

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