Getty
DALLAS, TEXAS - DECEMBER 03: Daniel Gafford #21 of the Dallas Mavericks is injured during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Center on December 03, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks are a team that everyone is watching heading into the trade deadline. Rumors have been swirling around Anthony Davis. Davis is hurt again, so his value has slid to the point that they might not be able to move him.
Right now, the Mavericks sit 12th in the Western Conference standings. They are headed towards having another lottery selection this season. It’s clear that they are headed for a rebuild around Cooper Flagg, who already has shown that he has All-Star potential.
A wild four-team trade idea from Bleacher Report has Dallas start that rebuild. In this trade idea, they trade a couple of pieces in exchange for another 2026 first-round pick.
GettyDallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford drives the ball. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Mavericks Add More Draft Capital in Wild Trade Proposal
Here is the full trade proposal:
Bulls get:
Pacers get:
Daniel Gafford (from Mavericks)
Jevon Carter (from Bulls)
$9.2 million trade exception (Bennedict Mathurin)
Pelicans get:
Jarace Walker (from Pacers)
Dante Exum (from Mavericks)
$8 million trade exception (Kevon Looney)
$3.4 million trade exception (Yves Missi)
2026 protected first-rounder (from Bulls)
Mavericks get:
Dalen Terry (from Chicago)
$9 million trade exception (Daniel Gafford)
$2.3 million trade exception (Dante Exum)
2026 protected first-rounder (from Portland Trail Blazers, via Bulls)
The key prize for Dallas is the first-round pick they would get that the Bulls own. Chicago sits ninth in the Eastern Conference standings right now, but this trade would see them get better. Still, adding a second first-round pick in a loaded draft is smart.
Gafford has been oft-injured at the center position and doesn’t fit Dallas’ timeline. Exum hasn’t played all season and is just a salary filler. That isn’t a high price to pay in return for another first-round pick, especially one that could be in the top 15.
GettyDallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis drives the ball. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Mavericks Could do Anything at the Trade Deadline
Dallas is one of the teams to watch at the trade deadline. It’s still unclear which direction they are fully committing to going in, so they could either stand pat or start a rebuild. With that being the case, they are one of the more intriguing teams to watch.
There’s a chance they decide to try to win when everyone gets healthy. Kyrie Irving is close to a return and could come back next month. Davis will be out for a few more weeks, but doesn’t need surgery on his hand. They could try to still make the play-in.
The Mavericks could also still decide to go into a full rebuild. They could decide to ship Davis, Gafford, and a few other players out of town. It’s clear that the new regime wants to make the team more competitive after the embarrassment that the Luka Dončić trade was.
Dallas has the fourth-worst offense in the league. Any trade they make at the deadline likely won’t make them good enough to make the playoffs.