The Chicago Bulls are lacking any true big man depth under contract for the 2025-26 season. With a Vucevic trade likely in the future, competing with just Zach Collins and Jalen Smith under the rim likely won't get the job done. Instead of having another year at the bottom of the defensive rankings, the Bulls should explore the option of getting back this former player.
Daniel Gafford would be a great addition to this current Chicago lineup. He's athletic, defensive-minded, and he's been on the best run of his young career. He was a key piece in helping the Dallas Mavericks make a run to the NBA Finals in 2024, and his value in the league has only grown since he was traded from the Bulls in the 2020-21 season.
Gafford's numbers have more than doubled in the four seasons since he left Chicago. Last year, he averaged a career-high 12.3 points per game, along with 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.8 blocks per night. At a $14 million price tag for next season, he would have great value on a Bulls team that needs all the defensive help it can get.
His first stint in Chicago was a bit disappointing due to constant injuries and limited playing time. He was featured in just 74 games over two seasons before being dealt to Washington. Gafford was a low-risk second-round pick that the Bulls tossed to the side, but he would be more beneficial for the team now than ever.
I miss watching Daniel Gafford hoop pic.twitter.com/uw1OMjwuzf
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) May 24, 2025
Daniel Gafford Could Be on the Trade Block
Dallas is set to retool their lineup next year after Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in March and they landed the number one pick of the 2025 Draft. Their roster next season will likely feature Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson, Max Christie, Derrick Lively II, and Anthony Davis as the key contributors.
Along with Davis and Lively, Dallas also has P.J. Washington and Dwight Powell under contract for next season, making the need to keep someone like Gafford pretty redundant. With at least $192 million in payroll for next season, they can't afford to pay a huge chunk of their cap to very similar players.
While he is athletic and efficient, Dallas likely won't see the need to keep a player like Gafford. Instead, they will be looking at a playmaker who could replace Irving and fit right in to run the offense alongside Flagg and Davis.
Chicago has the perfect answer, and he already has experience throwing alley-oops to the number one pick of the draft.
A Bulls-Mavericks Trade Is Realistic
To come in and be a key contributor for the Mavericks alongside Flagg, look no further than Lonzo Ball. The 27-year-old seems to have finally run his course with the Bulls and would be an excellent fit alongside Dallas' expected 2025-26 roster.
He's a pass-first guard who is pretty dynamic, and besides complementing Flagg, he would help create better shots for a shooter like Thompson and a big man like Davis.
Chicago has already been rumored to be shopping Ball to Dallas, so they might as well do all they can to get back Gafford in return. The money makes sense, Ball at $10 million and Gafford at $14 million. The Bulls could also throw in another guard like Dalen Terry or Julian Phillips to match up the contracts even better and give Dallas more depth.
For Chicago, they need someone who can be a reliable rim-protector, and that is what Gafford brings to the table. He's averaged 1.5 blocks per game for his career, and he's consistently improved the other parts of his game.
While he did struggle with injuries while on the Bulls, since leaving, he's played in at least 72 games in three of the past four seasons. He's been consistent, energetic, and exactly what Chicago is looking for, on a pretty reasonable contract.
If anyone needs another selling point on Gafford, it would be his 70.9 career shooting percentage. Though he hasn't yet reached the 2,000 made field goals benchmark for official league rankings, his percentage would be the highest in NBA history, above players like DeAndre Jordan, Rudy Gobert, and Jarrett Allen.