[RepRevolt]

February 8, 2024 NBA Trade Deadline - The Mavericks showed at the trade deadline that they will not go quietly

By trading for Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington on Thursday, the Mavericks continue to show they’ll be as aggressive as needed to find the positions needed to surround their two stars. In one way, that’s a good thing. But on the other hand, it has to work. When the Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving a year ago, it was clear that there was no turning back for the organization — this just doubles down on that path.

In total, the Mavericks traded two first-round picks, some end-of-roster flotsam, and the disappointing Grant Williams to get Gafford, who projects as the bouncy, beefy backup center the Mavericks have needed for years, and Washington, the multi-faceted, talented, jack-of-all trades forward the Mavericks have also needed for years. One of the first-rounders was acquired just for the Gafford deal, a 2024 Oklahoma City pick that was given in exchange for swap rights for Dallas’ 2028 first-rounder. The other was the 2027 first-round pick, the only first-rounder Dallas was legally allowed to trade until the Mavericks, hopefully, complete the Kristaps Porzingis trade this summer.

That 2027 first-round pick went out with Grant Williams, the Mavericks prized offseason acquisition last summer. Williams was brought to Dallas to do most of the things the Mavericks now hope Washington can do — power up the wing talent, add more size, bring a defensive edge, and make shots next to the two stars. Williams did almost anything but in his short stint in Dallas. After a brilliant first month, Williams game was a shell of his former self, as he missed open threes, turned the ball over an alarming amount for a mostly spot-up player, and failed to do anything to change the Maverick’s mostly below-average defense since Doncic has been.