Mavericks trade rumor involving $54 million veteran could lead to deal with Raptors or Hornets

The Dallas Mavericks could be looking to cut ties with center Daniel Gafford ahead of Tuesday's NBA Draft.

Gafford has been a solid player for Dallas since joining the team in the middle of the 2024 season, most notably during their run to the finals that year. However, Gafford has struggled with injuries over the last two years and was a bit inconsistent in 2025.

As a result, the Mavericks are taking calls on the 6-foot-10 center with the draft just a day away. The report comes from ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel, who mentions the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets as possible trade partners.

"The Mavericks have been shopping Daniel Gafford in trade talks over the last week to try to jump from No. 30 in the draft into the top 20. Toronto (No. 19) was linked to Gafford back at the trade deadline in February, and Charlotte (No. 14 & No. 18) has long been said to want to add win-now frontcourt talents. Both teams could be in play for a potential Gafford trade with Dallas," Siegel wrote.

Raptors and Hornets should have interest in Gafford

It makes sense that Toronto and Charlotte are exploring the Gafford trade market.

The Raptors could use some depth at center behind Jakob Poeltl, and Gafford would provide that. The 27-year-old is a fantastic lob threat who can also protect the paint at a high level. A center rotation of Poeltl and Gafford would lock up the position for Toronto for at least the next year

As for Charlotte, center is a pressing need. Though Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner showed promise this past season, neither is an effective long-term option or even a quality starter. Gafford would fit well in the Hornets' rotation, and his athleticism would be incredibly dynamic with point guard Lamelo Ball, who is still one of the better playmakers in the sport.

Overall, Gafford's time in Dallas could be coming to an end soon, and the Raptors and Hornets would be logical landing spots for the veteran center. Gafford would bring much-needed physicality to either squad, and both teams would also be able to maximize his skill set.