The NBA season opener is just under three months away, and with the Summer League officially over, all 30 franchises must make decisions to finalize their rosters. The Toronto Raptors saw very promising play from a few of the young guns, and with only one roster spot and one two-way contract available, general manager Bobby Webster must determine who to keep.

Meanwhile, the free agency period has not quite wrapped up. Rumors still swirl around six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan returning to Toronto on a veteran minimum contract, but with a loaded forward group, there may not be any room for him in the rotation. 

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As teams look to find the right pieces to support their stars, certain valuable players need to be moved in order to line up with the team’s aspirations. The 2025 champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, have already traded away key rotational pieces Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins so that they could afford to pay Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. Subtracting the role players saved Oklahoma City $224 million in cap space and taxes, while picking up seven second-round picks simultaneously. 

Oklahoma City Thunder stars Jalen Williams (8), Chet Holmgren (7), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

While they are in a very different situation, the Dallas Mavericks are still trying to avenge the treacherous trade that sent now six-time First-Team All-NBA member Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. In doing so, their mission is to build around 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and find young pieces who match the timeline of his prime. 

With that being said, starting center Daniel Gafford has been mentioned as a candidate to be traded, likely to allow for the maximum growth of the No. 12 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Dereck Lively II. Because of their lackluster depth at the center position, the Raptors should be eager to make an offer for the 27-year-old. 

Gafford’s contract, paired with the cap situation in Dallas, makes this a very favorable trade option for Toronto. The former Arkansas Razorback just signed a three-year contract extension worth just over $54 million, well within range for a starting center for Toronto. The issue is that Dallas has no need to swap Gafford for Jakob Poeltl, who is under contract for four years worth more money. 

Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) and Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

However, the Mavericks just traded away their backup point guard, Ryan Nembhard, for 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher in the three-team deal centered around Dort to the Atlanta Hawks. This means that they could be in the market for a backup to nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving. In addition, the Mavericks currently sit over $23 million under the first apron luxury tax line. 

So, the perfect trade could be as simple as Gafford for Toronto’s starting point guard, Immanuel Quickley. The former Kentucky Wildcat is under contract through the 2029 season, set to earn $32.5 million every year. Toronto is looking to get both his and Poeltl’s contracts off the books, and while a second trade may be necessary, this gets the ball rolling. 

Gafford perfectly fits the mold of a physical, athletic center that can protect the rim and make attacks to the paint as a lob threat. If the Raptors want to maximize their championship window with Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, this is the first move to make while it’s available. It would immediately add over $15 million to the remaining cap space, while acquiring an upgrade at center for the foreseeable future. 

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