The Golden State Warriors are coming off a solid season that saw them reach the second round of the playoffs before being eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves after Stephen Curry suffered an untimely injury.
Of course, Golden State’s season turned completely around after they acquired Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat at the trade deadline as their new star trio of him, Curry and Draymond Green had the Warriors looking like a title contender.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, a hamstring injury suffered by Curry in Game 1 of the second round would ultimately end their season.
Golden State Warriors stars Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry
Golden State Warriors stars Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Now Golden State enters the offseason looking to upgrade their roster around their veteran trio and their main focus this summer could be on acquiring a new starting center as they have struggled with the position over the last few seasons.
With this in mind, Sports Illustrated’s Rohan Raman recently proposed a three-team mock trade that would land the Warriors a center from the Dallas Mavericks while also moving on from one of their young guards.
In the trade, Raman has the Warriors receiving Daniel Gafford while the Atlanta Hawks would acquire P.J. Washington.
For the Mavericks, they would receive Moses Moody, Georges Niang, the Hawks’ 22nd overall pick in the 2025 draft and a top-10 protected 2028 first-round pick from the Warriors.
Moses Moody
Mar 15, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) drives to the net against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center.
© Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
This would be an interesting move for every team involved but it could work out well for the Warriors, though moving on from Moody would be a tough decision.
Golden State has been in desperate need of a starting center over the last handful of seasons and adding Gafford would be a major upgrade to their frontcourt.
Daniel Gafford
Nov 25, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) grabs a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at State Farm Arena.
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Last season, the 26-year-old center averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 70.2% from the field.
Gafford is a great defender and the pick-and-roll between him and Curry could be lethal, especially with what he has been able to do with Kyrie Irving and previously Luka Doncic in Dallas.
By adding Gafford, the Warriors would fill one of the largest holes in their lineup as they try to chase a title next season behind their aging trio.