Celtics reportedly showing trade interest in Mavericks big man

Boston Celtics

The Celtics could use another option up front to complement a big man like Neemias Queta.

As Brad Stevens and the rest of the Celtics’ top brass seek avenues to upgrade Boston’s frontcourt before the NBA trade deadline, a new target is reportedly in the mix. 

A week after Michael Scotto of Hoopshype reported that the Celtics were one of the teams expressing interest in trading for Clippers center Ivica Zubac, longtime NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Sunday that Boston is one of three teams who have checked in on Dallas Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford.

Both the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers have also kicked the tires on Gafford, Stein added.

The 27-year-old Gafford is averaging 7.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game across 28 games this season with Dallas,m logging an averaging of 20.9 minutes per game so far in 2025-26. 

Current Celtics starting center Neemias Queta has more than held his own with his increased minutes this season, averaging  10.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game)

But, a player like Gafford would give Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics another option to turn to in the paint, especially after an offseason where Boston lost plenty of depth up front between Al Horford and Luke Kornet. 

Gafford signed a three-year contract extension with Dallas in July that will kick in next season, with the 6-foot-11 big man expected to command a $17.2 million salary for the 2026-27 season.

While Gafford could be a useful addition to Boston’s frontcourt, Stevens and his staff will have their work cut out for them when it comes to pulling off a trade with Dallas. 

The asking price for Gafford would presumably lower than the cost to pry Zubac out of Los Angeles. But, Dallas also can’t take much money back in a trade with Boston due to being hard-capped at the second apron of the NBA’s current luxury-tax structure. 

As such, Boston couldn’t just trade away a high-priced player like Anfernee Simons ($27.6 million salary this season on an expiring deal) in order to make the money work for Gafford, who is making $14.3 million in salary this season.

The NBA trade deadline is set for Thursday, Feb. 5, at 3 p.m. 

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.