The 2024 NBA trade deadline has ended with the Dallas Mavericks completing three trades, including one with the Washington Wizards. However, while Dallas did not acquire Kyle Kuzma, who NBA insiders previously labeled a “priority target,” they did acquire a backup big who could potentially address some of the team's weaknesses.
Daniel Gafford has already proven his worth, making his blitz debut for the Mavs in a game where the team ironed out a long-standing issue. The fact that he played against one of the league's top contenders, the Oklahoma City Thunder, made it even more impressive.
Still, will Dallas regret not acquiring Kuzma from the Wizards? It appears that a contract with the forward has almost come to fruition.
The Athletic's Josh Robin reported that Washington was close to accepting an offer (subscription required) for Kuzma, but the source did not reveal the identity of the supposed trade partner. . However, the website had previously revealed that the Mavs were “almost certainly” a suitor for the seventh-year pro.
So why didn't this deal happen? Apparently the Wizards wanted at least two first-round picks. Dallas likely balked at the price offered because depleting its draft capital for a non-All-Star player could hurt future flexibility.
In the end, the Mavs' front office traded an underperforming player and several protected first-round picks for Gafford and former Charlotte Hornets forward prospect P.J. Washington. And the organization may have done the right thing, as the newly acquired players made their first appearance in Mavs uniforms.
PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford make Mavs debut🔥 pic.twitter.com/M7Ixn3a4xf
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 10, 2024
Still, it remains to be seen whether Dallas will be troubled any time soon if they don't get Kuzma. He averaged 21.8 points and 4.2 assists per game this season and could provide the team with a reliable third scoring option who can distribute the ball. Perhaps his most valuable asset to the Mavs is his championship pedigree, having won a ring with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Kuzma will get a chance to prove Dallas wrong for not going all in on him when the Wizards visit on Monday.
As for the Mavs, they are on a four-game winning streak and are in 8th place in the Western Conference with a record of 30 wins and 23 losses, and are looking to move up the standings.
Check out more news and rumors about the Dallas Mavericks.
