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The Golden State Warriors' current 20-20 record and placement as the Western Conference's No. 11 seed has brought forth plenty of criticism towards the franchise's front office and general manager Mike Dunleavy.
Golden State has been operating without a single player over 7-feet tall in their rotation throughout the entire season, from their incredible 12-3 beginning to their present situation as a team fighting for a spot in the Play-In Tournament.
The Warriors' defensive effort over the past five games has warranted a No. 15 ranked 115.2 defensive rating, a mark which would need to creep into top-10 territory in order to be considered as even a dark-horse contender.
Paint protection outside of Green and sophomore center Trayce Jackson-Davis has been one of the team's largest areas of struggle in 2024-25, but recent reports have indicated that a stellar defensive center from the Dallas Mavericks has been made available for trade.
Ultimately, Dunleavy could be tempted to contact Dallas and offer a package including an NBA champion and elite defender for the athletic Daniel Gafford.
"The Mavericks, as The Athletic reported earlier this month, have expressed interest in conversations with rival teams about acquiring an impact perimeter defender," The Athletic's Christian Clark wrote Friday.
"Dallas, according to front-office sources with other teams, has dangled Gafford in those discussions."
"The options to acquire a perimeter defender who can be a needle-mover, however, appear to be limited."
At 26 years old, the 6-foot-10 Gafford plays well above his height as one of the most explosive lob threats and shot-blockers in the entire Association.
Gafford is currently averaging 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 70.5% from the floor for a Mavericks team struggling to remain in the hunt for a guaranteed postseason berth.
The rim-running center is one of the NBA's most ferocious dunkers and intimidating defenders at the rim thanks to his incredible jumping ability and strong frame.
With Golden State, Gafford could be a perfect two-way addition as a pick-and-roll partner with Curry and fellow protector of the paint alongside Green in the frontcourt.
The Mavericks' efforts to acquire a proven option to defend on the perimeter could very well lead them to negotiating a deal with Golden State centered around 2022 NBA champion Gary Payton II.
Payton II has maintained a reputation as one of the league's most versatile and gritty defenders due to his own athleticism and ability to guard virtually every position on the court.
In a potential deal, Payton II would likely have to be joined by another notable defender. Golden State's All-Rookie First Team selection Brandin Podziemski, who led the NBA with 38 charges drawn in his debut campaign last season could also be thrown into the package for Dallas.
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