As offseason speculation grows, the Dallas Mavericks are reportedly hoping to keep core frontcourt players Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington heading into the 2025–26 campaign.
Veteran NBA insider Marc Stein revealed that the franchise prefers not to part with either big man, despite their contracts entering final seasons. “I’m not sitting here saying they won’t be traded,” Stein said. “I just think their preference is they would love to find a way to not have to surrender either one. I just don’t know if that’s practical.”
Gafford, 26, averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game for Dallas during the 2024–25 season, shooting an efficient 70.2% from the field.
Washington, also 26, started 56 games and contributed 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest while shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc.
Both players are set to earn over $14 million in the final year of their current contracts—Gafford on a three-year, $40 million deal, and Washington on a three-year, $46.5 million agreement.
With limited flexibility and few veteran assets following a tumultuous season that included injuries to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, Dallas is leaning on continuity to stabilize its roster.
The Mavericks ended the regular season at 39–43 and were eliminated in the second play-in game by Memphis, marking their first playoff miss since 2023.
Despite finishing 10th in the Western Conference, the Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, positioning themselves to retool with a top prospect.
Interest around Gafford has grown, particularly from the Los Angeles Lakers. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, L.A. may need to offer a package including Gabe Vincent, rookie Dalton Knecht, and a future first-round pick to pry him away from Dallas.
