The Atlanta Hawks’ perfect Clint Capela replacement is already available on the trade block: Dallas Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford. Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon discussed the idea on the Game Theory podcast. The 26-year-old big man is an impressive paint defender and the perfect rim-rolling center to pair next to Trae Young, and the Mavs could end up moving him this summer.
Gafford was a starter on their 2024 NBA Finals team, reaping the rewards of playing with Luka Doncic. Who’s to say he can’t reach those heights again with another elite playmaker leading the way for him in the pick-and-roll? If the two teams can find the right trade, Gafford to Atlanta could be perfect.
But what would a trade look like?
How could the Hawks trade for Daniel Gafford?
The most realistic pathway for the Hawks to land Gafford could end up being in a three-team deal, as the Mavericks are interested in some players who make a lot of money.
Most notably, the Mavs have been linked to Jrue Holiday, as the Boston Celtics may end up trading the veteran guard this summer in an effort to get under the second apron. Holiday is slated to make $32.4 million next year.
That said, Dallas would have to send out a ton of salary in a deal, and it would almost definitely include Gafford.
However, since the Celtics will likely try to shed salary this summer, roping the Hawks in as a third team to take on Gafford’s contract could work for everyone involved.
If Atlanta got involved in a deal with the Celtics that also sent Holiday to the Mavs, it could be a win-win(-win).
The other option would be for Atlanta to simply deal with Dallas straight up, making a move for Gafford that doesn’t involve any other teams. The biggest question would then become what the Hawks would send back to the Mavs.
A simple trade of Georges Niang, pick No. 22, and a future first could be enough to catch the Mavs’ attention, depending on what they are looking to get out of a Gafford trade.
The point is, Gafford would be a perfect replacement for Capela, giving the Hawkst two solid rim-runners to play alongside the rest of their core.
Gafford could take over as the Hawks’ starter, or they could bring him off the bench in favor of Onyeka Okongwu. Either way, they will have two centers on the roster capable of playing big-time minutes when needed, and that would be a huge win for the Hawks.