Pelicans Seek to Capitalize on Mavericks’ Turmoil with Gafford Trade
The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a precarious position this season, languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference with a dismal 2-8 record. Typically, a team in their situation might consider tanking to improve their lottery odds for the 2026 NBA Draft, especially with their franchise star sidelined. However, the Pelicans are far from a typical team. Having already traded away their 2026 first-round pick without protections, they cannot afford to intentionally bottom out. Instead, the focus must shift towards building for the future, even if the current season appears bleak.
Mavericks’ Management Shake-Up Opens Trade Possibilities
The Dallas Mavericks, amid their own chaos following the departure of GM Nico Harrison, present a potentially advantageous trading partner for the Pelicans. Harrison, known for orchestrating the controversial Luka Dončić trade, found himself under relentless scrutiny over the past nine months, ultimately leading to his exit. This leadership change signals an impending shift for the Mavericks, who are likely to reevaluate their roster, particularly the unbalanced collection of talent that Harrison assembled.
With the Mavericks looking to reshape their team, several valuable players may soon become available. The Pelicans should be ready to pounce on this opportunity, leveraging Dallas’ current uncertainty to strengthen their own roster.
Mavs’ Frontcourt Depth Creates Trade Opportunities
Dallas boasts a crowded frontcourt, featuring an array of big men including Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, and Anthony Davis, with PJ Washington and Cooper Flagg also vying for time at power forward. In contrast, their backcourt rotation, which includes Brandon Williams, D’Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson, and Max Christie, lacks depth. A new GM will likely seek to offload one or two frontcourt players to bolster the backcourt.
While the Pelicans have several options at center, none match the potential and skill set of Gafford. New Orleans has struggled to find a quality rim-protecting center to complement Zion Williamson over the years. Gafford could finally fill that critical role. His ability to excel on both ends of the court—serving as an efficient rim runner and lob finisher offensively while providing solid shot-blocking defensively—makes him an ideal fit. Additionally, he could develop into a reliable pick-and-roll partner for emerging players like Jeremiah Fears.
Gafford’s Contract and Trade Feasibility
The prospect of acquiring Gafford is further appealing due to his contract alignment with the Pelicans’ timeline. At 27 years old, Gafford recently signed a three-year, $54 million extension, with a cap hit of $14.3 million this season. The Pelicans could craft a trade package that includes a mix of players such as Kevon Looney, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, and Saddiq Bey, potentially coupled with an unprotected first-round pick or two protected first-round picks.
While the idea of relinquishing more future picks may send shivers down the spines of Pelicans fans, it may be a necessary step to extricate the franchise from its current predicament. The front office’s past decisions have led to a challenging situation, and embracing a bold trade for Gafford could pave the way for a more promising future.
