Atlanta facing an urgent equation
In Atlanta this isn’t theoretical anymore. It’s triage. Kristaps Porzingis has missed 14 of the last 15 games with a lingering illness, leaving the Hawks with a gaping hole in their offense and a badly weakened inside presence. With no real focal point in the paint the offense unravels, options dry up and the margin for error evaporates. In this tense context every potential fix is being studied, and one name keeps bubbling up.
Daniel Gafford — an option that makes sense on paper
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Atlanta has shown clear interest in Daniel Gafford. The Mavericks’ center ticks several boxes the Hawks want: physical impact, rim protection, and the ability to finish around the basket without hogging the ball. Gafford isn’t a star. He’s the kind of player who steadies a rotation and brings immediate, tangible value. In a team desperately lacking consistency inside, his profile almost writes itself.
A contract that carries weight
There’s one detail that’s far from trivial. Gafford is under contract through 2029 after signing a $60 million, three-year deal. That’s a hefty commitment, putting him in the same salary band as established centers like Wendell Carter Jr. or Jarrett Allen. For Atlanta it means a long-term calculation, not a quick bandage. Betting on Gafford means accepting a measure of salary rigidity in a franchise already juggling heavy contracts.
Dallas willing to listen, but not to give him away
The Mavericks’ logic is different. Dallas wants to get younger, add flexibility and shed certain contracts to open future windows. The objective is clear: bring back young talent and expiring deals to reshape the rotation around its pillars. In that framework Gafford isn’t untouchable. But he won’t be shipped off lightly. The Mavericks know what he brings and will wait for a return that fits their medium-term plan.
Atlanta refuses to sacrifice its future
One thing is non-negotiable for the Hawks. Zaccharie Risacher isn’t going anywhere. Atlanta’s front office has flatly denied any chance of including their 2024 first-round pick in a trade. Sure, the young wing’s sophomore year has been uneven — no breakout, no steady output. But inside the organisation the faith remains. Risacher is seen as a long-term investment, a player to develop, not trade bait to fix a short-term emergency.
A delicate balance between present and future
This is where the headache really sets in. The Hawks need help now. Games pile up, the East forgives nothing, and Porzingis’ absence is felt on every paint possession. But Atlanta won’t fall into short-termism. Adding Gafford without mortgaging the young assets — that’s the tricky equation the decision-makers are trying to solve.
Gafford — a profile built to fill a specific need
On the court the case is clear. He’d bring a deterrent rim presence, set solid screens and finish the simple plays. No need for complex schemes or endless acclimation. He’d slot straight into a rotation crying out for stability. With him Atlanta would find a bit of balance, even without Porzingis, and limit the damage in tight games.
Talks that look set to be messy
Any deal involving Gafford will require finesse and patience. Atlanta will have to convince Dallas without giving up its key pieces, while the Mavericks will try to maximise their return without stalling their own project. It’s the kind of negotiation where every detail counts, every clause gets picked apart and every option is weighed from every angle.
Atlanta at a crossroads
The interest in Daniel Gafford speaks volumes about the Hawks’ current state. They don’t want to be dragged through the season. They’re hunting levers, tweaks, concrete answers. In an increasingly stacked East, standing still means going backwards. The question is whether this avenue will end in a balanced deal that strengthens Atlanta without wrecking its future.
For now, nothing’s agreed. But one thing’s clear. The Hawks have entered a phase where every decision will matter. And the Gafford file could be the first true test of their ability to navigate between immediate sporting need and long-term planning.
Photo by Amanda Loman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
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