The Golden State Warriors came up short in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes on Sunday.
The Phoenix Suns traded the 15-time All-Star to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft, and five future second-round picks.
Following the franchise’s unsuccessful pursuit of Durant, Sports Illustrated’s Rohan Roman predicts the Warriors will acquire a 6-foot-10 Dallas Mavericks center.
“After being eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round, it’s clear the Golden State Warriors need to consider changes,” Roman wrote Sunday.
“Acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline helped improve their roster, but their matchup against the Timberwolves showed that the Warriors still need more on defense and could use more shooting. They had no answer for Julius Randle in the Timberwolves series and went on several cold streaks without Steph Curry to push them forward.”
“Draymond Green has been an incredible defensive anchor throughout the Warriors’ dynasty, but it’s fair to wonder if the Warriors need to consider getting him more help on that end.”
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“They are also one of the smaller rosters in the NBA, and their lack of size was exposed in the Timberwolves matchup. (Daniel) Gafford would be a great fit for the Warriors on both ends of the floor and fills a bigger need than (Moses) Moody does.”
In Roman’s three-team trade proposal, the Atlanta Hawks would receive P.J. Washington, the Warriors would receive Gafford, and the Mavericks would receive Moody, Georges Niang, a 2025 first-round pick (No. 22 overall, via Atlanta Hawks), and a top-10 protected 2028 first-round pick (via Warriors).
There’s no question Gafford’s been a serviceable big man since entering the NBA in 2019.
Succeeding as a rim runner in transition, operating the pick-and-roll adequately, and timing his jumps perfectly as a rim protector are skills that have helped keep the Arkansas product employed in the NBA.
Last season, Gafford enjoyed one of his best seasons in the big leagues alongside Luka Doncic in Dallas.
The 26-year-old veteran averaged 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, shooting 78.0% on the field with the Western Conference champions.
Gafford was productive again with the Mavericks this season, contributing 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per contest, connecting on 70.2% of his field goals.
If the Warriors don’t want to rely on Quentin Post and Kevon Looney in the low post, they could attempt to poach Gafford, who’s slated to earn $14 million next year, from the Mavericks in the offseason.
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