Dallas - Cavaliers: Gafford - LeVert

[ijspeelman]

DAL
In: Caris LeVert, 2025 MIL SRP, 2025 CLE SRP
Out: Daniel Gafford

CLE
In: Daniel Gafford
Out: Caris LeVert, 2025 MIL SRP, 2025 CLE SRP

Why for Dallas?
With the addition of AD, the Mavericks now have four big men that can play next to AD in PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Derek Lively and Dwight Powell. With the loss of Luka, they can consolidate their big man rotation and add another playmaker to the mix.

Why for Cleveland?
Cleveland has a lack of big man depth after Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen and with the breakout of Ty Jerome, Caris LeVert could be seen as redundant especially with both of their contracts coming to an end and Cavaliers may only be able to pay one or the other. This also puts Cavaliers under the luxury tax, killing two birds with one stone.

[Scoot McGroot]

Dwight Powell isn’t that guy anymore.

Sorry Chuck

[Texas Chuck]

Definitely some logic here. And if Lively wasn't hurt and/or AD was more durable, it seems like something Dallas should do. Harder right now since AD doesn't want to play center full-time and there is nobody else healthy on the roster.

From the Cavs side, it's not perfect because he can't play with Allen but it sure lets Allen be super aggressive defensively having a solid backup to soak up extra minutes in case of foul trouble.

I like the logic, I think though both teams should pass?

[jayjaysee]

Feels like this is bad for Dallas honestly?

Not sure if it’s my bias. Or I’m off on Caris value?

[Texas Chuck]

Dwight Powell isn’t that guy anymore.

Sorry Chuck

If you told me Dwight Powell was going to be the backup center and have to give me 15 mpg I'd still be okay with it. Of course he's hurt right now.

Spoiler:

If Luka Doncic was running PNR with him,

Seriously though, yeah Gafford is the souped up version of what Powell was--a great rim threat(only Gafford can attack on more than just lobs) and he offers more rim protection/rebounding. Would be hard to go back to try hard guy on defense and no longer quite the lob threat.

[ijspeelman]

Definitely some logic here. And if Lively wasn't hurt and/or AD was more durable, it seems like something Dallas should do. Harder right now since AD doesn't want to play center full-time and there is nobody else healthy on the roster.

From the Cavs side, it's not perfect because he can't play with Allen but it sure lets Allen be super aggressive defensively having a solid backup to soak up extra minutes in case of foul trouble.

I like the logic, I think though both teams should pass?

I do think Cavs would prefer someone more like PJ Washington, but I think bc he's versatile he's probably more valuable to Dallas than the Cavs can offer. His contract also descends so the Cavs would need to add an extra contract like Sam Merrill for it to work where the Cavs get out of the luxury tax as well.

[jbk1234]

Gafford's a true 5 who can't really share the court with Allen. I like him, but the Cavs need more of a 4/5 than a true 5.

From the Mavs perspective, I don't think Gafford gets moved until the summer. Lively is out with an injury and AD seems really done playing the 5. He waived his trade kicker to go to the Mavs. Maybe I'm reading more into that than I should, but he certainly seemed good going to a team that’s not going to ask him to play center.

[bgrep14]

I’d say yes as a Cavs fan. Backup 5 and big man depth behind Allen and Mobley is a big concern. I think the Cavs should be targeting Washington and just add him to the trade with Okoro, TT, and the Cavs 2031 1st (top 8 protected) and remove a 2nd rd pick.