The Dallas Mavericks shocked the sports world ahead of the NBA trade deadline by sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last year. Fast forward to 2026, and Dallas is operating a little more quietly, but there are a few key players being shopped.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks “continue to expolore” trades involving D’Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson and Daniel Gafford. What’s also been made clear to clubs is that Naji Marshall and Max Christie are staying in Dallas.
Thompson, who turns 36 next week, is still owed $17.46 million next season, and he carries a 15 percent trade kicker. The 6-foot-5 guard has spent the majority of the season coming off the bench in Dallas, shooting 38 percent from the perimeter and averaging a career-worst 11.8 points per game. While he could be a beneficial addition to a playoff contender as a perimeter scorer off the bench, the additional year of his contract further deflates his trade value.
Gafford could prove enticing to playoff-caliber teams in need of a center, such as the Boston Celtics. The 6-foot-10 big man is averaging 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season while shooting 62.9 percent from the field. While Gafford’s Win Shares per 48 Minutes this season (.040) is well below his marks from the previous two years, he is a viable option for teams in need of help.
Russell is the only potential half-season rental Dallas is attempting to move, but he does have a $5.97 million player option for next season. Coming off the bench this year, Russell has averaged 10.2 points and 4 assists per game, shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from the perimeter.
