Dallas called to consider a $54.4 million buyout

The Dallas Mavericks‘ The 2025-26 season collapses before he even gets a chance to get off the field. On Monday night, the Mavericks let another golden opportunity to win slip away, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks116-114, to fall to 3-8 on the season. Considering how relentless the West is and considering their injury issues, this could already be the death knell for their playoff hopes.

If nothing else, this could be a year where it could be worthwhile for the Mavericks to take the plunge and perhaps add another blue-chip prospect in addition to Flagg. After all, they own their first-round pick this year; this will be the last time they do so until 2031, as they are out of their first-rounders from 2027 to 2030 after the win-win trades they made in recent years to replenish their Luka Doncic-led core.

To that end, NBA insider Marc Stein is urging the Mavericks to do just that assess whether or it would not be best for them to try to replace Daniel Gaffordwho has $54.4 million left on the remaining three years of his contract.

“So it can be proven, perhaps sooner rather than later, that acquiring one of their most attractive trade candidates (Gafford) for a future asset is an approach that should be strongly weighed when the next draft offers a chance to get lucky again,” Stein wrote.

There is no shortage of teams in the NBA that would benefit greatly from the addition of Gafford. If the Mavericks trade him, they can at least regain some future assets and position themselves for a brighter future amid a bleak present.

The Mavericks’ strength is turning into a glaring weakness

CEO Nick Harrison’s vindication for trading Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package headlined by Anthony Davis that “defense wins championships.” But that defense isn’t even winning games right now, what with their best defensive players currently on the mend from injuries.

This Mavericks roster was already unbalanced to start the season, relying heavily on its stacked frontcourt to outscore teams. But that frontcourt has been depleted all season, and Dallas is reeling because of it. Big changes could be coming soon for this struggling team.