New Blockbuster Three-Staff Commerce Proposal Sends Gafford to TOR, Hawks Choose Up Prosper

ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that the Phoenix Suns have traded their 2031 first-round choose for first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and 2029. This seems to be the prelude to a bigger, win-now transfer . Whereas it stays to be seen if that is the rumored Jimmy Butler commerce, the wheels are turning for groups to make a transfer.

One other Western Convention crew that might profit from an injection of expertise is the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have been with out famous person Luka Doncic and thrilling rookie middle Derek Energetic II for weeks now and it has taken its toll. They presently sit in seventh place in a good Western Convention and are at risk of falling even additional down the standings. Doncic wants extra time to get better and the Mavericks aren’t robust sufficient to offer him that point of their present type.

As such, they may be fascinated with a win-now transfer to strengthen their rotation. Daniel Gafford is a reputation the Mavericks could be prepared to supply in commerce talks if the worth is correct. The 6’10 large man was glorious as a part of Dallas’ central tandem and had a huge effect of their run to the Finals final season. He simply recorded 31 factors, 15 rebounds and 7 blocks on 12-15 taking pictures from the sector in his latest outing towards the Hornets. In 2024, he’s averaging a career-high 12.1 factors on 71% taking pictures from the sector. Nonetheless, the Mavericks desperately want wing depth and extra taking pictures to make up for the lack of Doncic. Gafford provides nothing to those wants.

The Raptors have been one of many worst groups within the NBA this 12 months, however they’ve an intriguing assortment of names that might be a match for playoff groups. Ochai Agbaji, Chris Boucher, Kelly Olynyk, Davion Mitchell and Jakob Poetl are all able to contributing to a playoff crew and their long-term futures in Toronto are removed from settled.

If a commerce goes via between the Raptors and Mavericks, may the Hawks be poised to be the third crew in such a deal? They should add backup energy and extra pictures.

Here’s a framework for a potential deal between these three groups.

The Atlanta Hawks obtain: Oliver-Maxence Prosper, Garrett Temple

Dallas Mavericks obtain: Larry Nance Jr, Chris Boucher, Ochai Agbaji, Jamal Shead, 2025 2nd spherical choose (from Minnesota, through Atlanta).

Toronto Raptors obtain: Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris, 2025 1st spherical picks (through Dallas)

Why the Hawks are making this commerce: They get an athletic ahead with actual potential, flip an expiring contract into worth, and exchange Nance’s veteran presence with Temple. Based mostly on the uncooked numbers, Prosper would not look like a really thrilling prospect. The 2023 first-round choose is averaging simply 2.6 factors and a pair of.1 rebounds on 39.7/25/60.6 taking pictures splits. Nonetheless, he’s a ridiculous athlete. Look no additional than this dunk on Jalen Williams.

Prosper’s numbers per 36 minutes look slightly higher. He is averaging 12.3 factors and 9.8 rebounds from that angle and has proven indicators of being a greater shooter within the G League. Prosper shot 42.5% from three within the G League final season on 5.3 makes an attempt per sport. His free throw taking pictures is not extremely spectacular, however he has some actual instruments to develop. Atlanta is the proper mixture to have the ability to give him these minutes whereas nonetheless evaluating his contributions to victory. Enjoying towards Trae Younger is all the time a cheat code for athletic forwards and there is not any purpose to suppose Prosper cannot grow to be a real contributor. Temple is solely a veteran, however he managed a 14-year NBA profession for a purpose.

Why the Hawks would not make this commerce: They could wish to get slightly extra for Nance and Prosper has been a prospect for 2 seasons now. There may be some threat related to giving up draft picks — even seconds — when the Hawks have already got restricted property. Utilizing them on a participant with main query marks like Prosper might be a waste of sources.

Why the Mavs would make this commerce: Chris Boucher and Ochai Agbaji instantly strengthen the Mavericks wing rotation. Each had good seasons in Toronto, taking pictures north of 35% from deep on three to 4 makes an attempt per sport. Boucher provides spacing as an influence or middle ahead. He is a wise veteran who performs with plenty of exercise, rebounds properly and provides groups an offensive prompt the bench. Agbaji is having an distinctive season and is presently connecting on 40% of his threes to associate with a strong protection. At 6’5, he is extra of a shooter than a real ahead, however the Mavericks may nonetheless use somebody of his archetype on their roster. They want extra two-way choices that complement the skills of Luka and Kyrie. Agbaji is an ideal addition to nearly any checklist. Nance is a great backup middle who can mix with Boucher to offer the Mavericks a strong core basis at middle till Energetic returns. Shead is simply a rookie, however has proven actual potential as a backup level guard able to enjoying glorious protection.

Why the Mavericks would not make this commerce: Buying and selling their choose within the 2025 draft may be very dangerous because the Mavericks have actually struggled with out Luka. If they’ve bother getting him again into the lineup, which is not out of the query, they threat sending a really worthwhile asset to Toronto. Moreover, this draft is loaded and Dallas should herald younger, cost-controlled expertise to maintain a very good crew round Doncic.

Why the Raptors would make this commerce: 4 first-round picks within the subsequent two drafts (each of which ought to be robust) give Toronto an ideal runway to enhance rapidly. They have already got a star in Scottie Barnes, so the following two seasons ought to be about discovering expertise that matches him. Gafford is a strong beginning middle who can play in tandem with Poetl whereas the crew is now free to maneuver on from Olynyk. A wholesome Maxi Kleber may present taking pictures for a spacing-starved Raptors crew and Markieff Morris is a veteran who can fill in for Temple.

Why the Raptors would not make this commerce: Sending out two younger gamers who might be a part of Toronto’s future, Agbaji and Shead, is a choice Toronto wouldn’t make flippantly. Dallas’ choose might not be worthwhile sufficient to warrant such a worth and Kleber’s contract is likely one of the worst within the NBA.

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