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Report: Washington Wizards trading Daniel Gafford to Dallas Mavericks for Richaun Holmes, draft compensation

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly•02/08/24•

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Daniel Gafford
(Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports)

The Washington Wizards are close to trading former Arkansas star Daniel Gafford to the Dallas Mavericks, according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

In return, the Mavericks will send Richaun Holmes and draft compensation back to the Wizards, per Woj.

Daniel Gafford is a former second-round pick of the Chicago Bulls. He is averaging 10.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season.

Gafford was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft out of Arkansas with the No. 38 overall pick.

He spent 1.5 seasons in Chicago, before being traded to the Wizards during the 2020-21 season.

Gafford remained in Washington until the trade deadline this season but is now close to going to Dallas.

The 25-year-old has started all 45 games for the Wizards this season and is averaging a career-high in points, rebounds, blocks, assists and steals.

Landing Daniel Gafford is a solid pickup for a Mavericks franchise in need of frontcourt help. Dallas has one of the best backcourts in the NBA with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but the frontcourt is lacking of playmakers.

Veterans Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell, as well as rookie Dereck Lively, have been getting most of the minutes at the 5 for Dallas this season. Gafford should immediately move into a key role with Dallas.

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The Mavericks are currently 28-23 and in eighth place in the Western Conference. With that said, Dallas is only two games back of Phoenix for the No. 5 seed in the West.

Considering the injuries Dallas has had, that’s not bad. Doncic and Irving have both missed time this season and have rarely been on the court together at the same time.

As for the Wizards at 9-41, they have the second-worst record in the NBA.

Washington has some talent, led by Kyle Kuzma, but the Wizards have struggled to come together and earn wins this season.

Washington has struggled on the defensive side of the ball in particular.

Richaun Holmes isn’t likely to come in and be a boost for Washington. He has played in 23 games this season, with two starts, and is averaging 3.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

However, perhaps Washington gets a draft pick that can help for the future. The Wizards are clearly in rebuild mode and any draft compensation they can get doesn’t hurt. This trade could work out well for both franchises.