The Dallas Mavericks (29-23) were busy before Thursday’s trade deadline, and they were able to get two solid players, which will help this team.
Dallas agreed to the right to swap their own 2028 first-round pick with Oklahoma City’s own 2028 first-round pick in order to obtain a 2024 first-round pick from the Thunder.
Also, the Mavs traded center Richaun Holmes and a 2024 first-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for center Daniel Gafford.
In addition, they acquired forward P.J. Washington and two second-round picks from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for forward Grant Williams, guard Seth Curry, and a top-two protected 2027 first-round pick.
The 25-year-old Washington, who is an upgrade over Williams, has appeared in 44 games (17 starts) with the Hornets this season and is averaging 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. In his 17 starts, he averaged 14.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. This past offseason, the five-year veteran signed a three-year, $46.5 million contract with the Hornets.
While the 25-year-old Gafford, who is an upgrade over Holmes, has appeared in 45 games (45 starts) with the Wizards this season and is averaging career-highs across the board with 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 69.0% from the field, the second-highest field goal percentage in the NBA this season. The four-year vet signed a three-year, $40.2 million contract extension with the Wizards in 2021.
At this point, starting center Dereck Lively has been in and out of the lineup, so Gafford should help immediately.
Luka Doncic was happy with the moves, and is excited to get a viable backup center.
“I think we got two really good players,” Doncic said after the team’s win over the Knicks. “We added some size for our team. Got a backup center, which I’ve wanted for like three years already. So I think those players are going to help us out a lot,” the Mavericks star declared.”
Dallas swept their three-game road trip after defeating the 76ers, Nets, and Knicks, and they return home with a better roster than before they left. Dallas now begins a four-game homestand starting on Saturday against the OKC Thunder.
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