Hawks oppose Mavericks trade for Daniel Gafford before 3-team deal
on wednesday Atlanta Hawks were part of a 3 team trade with Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers. In the deal, Lonzo Ball goes to Utah, where he is expected to be waived and able to sign with any team. Utah will also receive Cleveland’s second-round picks in 2028 and 2032. As part of the trade, the Hawks agreed to center Jock Landale.
But before they acquired the big man from St. Mary, Hawks and Dallas Mavericks were in discussions about the possible Daniel Gafford trade. But both sides could not come to an agreement. The Mavs are reportedly in pursuit of a first-round pickaccording to Mark Stein. Atlanta countered with a second-round pick, but wouldn’t budge.
That prompted the Hawks to turn to a 3-team deal.
In Landale, Atlanta gets a young, talented big man who has shown some improvement in his fifth NBA season. After struggling to get minutes with the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets, the Australian center finally played significant minutes in Memphis this season.
He averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in just over 23 minutes per game. Additionally, he has shown his range, knocking down 38% of his 3-pointers this season on 2.9 attempts per game.
Depth in the paint was much needed for the Hawks. Kristaps Porzingis barely played all season, for one reason or another. That signature looks worse by the day. Onieka Okongwu finally got the starting minutes and he shined. But there is very little depth behind it.
The Mavericks are clearly in rebuilding mode. They agreed earlier on Wednesday trades Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. Gafford certainly has some trade value, especially considering he’s under contract through the 2028-29 season. But the Hawks appear to have found a much cheaper, younger, depth piece.
2026-02-04 22:53:00
