The Dallas Mavericks enter Monday\u2019s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans at 11\u201318, still working to stabilize a season shaped by early disruption and shifting availability. While the record reflects the uneven start, Dallas remains a team the rest of the NBA is watching ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline. <\/p>\n
As it stands, the Mavericks\u2019 most feasible trade candidate for rival teams with interest is Daniel Gafford<\/a>. Trading for him doesn\u2019t require complicated salary-matching maneuvers for him to be traded, and he can plug in with just about any team as a paint finisher and shot blocker. <\/p>\n A few known teams interested in acquiring a center include the Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Toronto Raptors, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. It remains to be seen how aggressive trade efforts will prove to be specifically for Gafford. <\/p>\n How aggressively those teams pursue an upgrade, and whether Dallas ultimately views moving Gafford as compatible with its current trajectory, remains unresolved. For now, the Mavericks continue to balance short-term competitiveness with longer-term flexibility as league-wide movement begins to crystallize.<\/p>\n That evaluation has also been tied to how Anthony Davis<\/a> has looked since returning from his calf strain \u2014 a checkpoint rival teams have been watching closely as the Mavericks\u2019 direction comes into sharper focus.<\/p>\n After easing back into the rotation, Davis has shown a clear uptick in both workload and effectiveness. Over his last four games, he is averaging 23.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, reinforcing the two-way presence Dallas relies on when fully healthy. He punctuated that stretch Saturday in Philadelphia with a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double, anchoring the interior on both ends.<\/p>\n Around the NBA, that trend matters.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what teams want to see,\u201d a member of a rival NBA front office told DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. \u201cWhen AD looks like himself \u2014 moving well, finishing through contact, controlling the glass \u2014 he brings a lot of value to the table. Any team trading for him has to be confident they can go for it this season. If he keeps playing at this level, he\u2019s going to build up his market.\u201d<\/p>\n For Dallas, Davis\u2019 recent form has provided needed clarity. His ability to reassert himself as a dominant interior force not only raises the team\u2019s short-term ceiling, but also influences how rival front offices contextualize the Mavericks\u2019 roster \u2014 and the degree to which Dallas feels compelled to adjust it as the deadline approaches.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at some intel from around the rest of the NBA.<\/p>\n Giannis Antetokounmpo <\/p>\n As the Milwaukee Bucks continue to navigate an underachieving season while sitting outside the Eastern Conference\u2019s top 10 at 11-18, the rest of the NBA is closely monitoring the situation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>.<\/p>\n There is a significant sense of internal pressure the Bucks face to make the most of the upcoming trade deadline to add the necessary talent to win around Antetokounmpo, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. While many around the NBA believe the writing is on the wall for Antetokounmpo\u2019s departure, he has publicly stated the opposite of a star that is forcing his way out. <\/p>\n \u201cIf my agent is talking to the Bucks about it, he is his own person. He can have any conversation he wants about it,\u201d Antetokounmpo said recently. \u201cAt the end of the day, I don\u2019t work for my agent, my agent works for me. There\u2019s going to be conversations that are going to be made between him and the Bucks and him and his other players and him and other teams and other GMs, executives around the league.\u201d<\/p>\n One league source told DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a> that Antetokounmpo is reminding them of Damian Lillard<\/a>\u2018s exit from the Portland Trail Blazers. <\/p>\n \u201cThis feels like Damian Lillard\u2019s exit from Portland. Nobody wants to be the bad guy, but they know what needs to be done,\u201d one source said. <\/p>\n Around the league, the most viable potential suitors for Antetokounmpo are increasingly viewed as being in the Eastern Conference, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. However, there is growing skepticism among rival teams that the New York Knicks would be willing to break up their roster midseason to pursue a trade. While Antetokounmpo has viewed New York as a potential destination, barring a significant shift, any such scenario would likely now require postseason disappointment before such a drastic move.<\/p>\n Among Eastern Conference teams to keep an eye on is the Miami Heat, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>, who continue to monitor options to acquire a star player. As included in our previous NBA notebook<\/a>, the Heat \u2014 like the San Antonio Spurs \u2014 never presented its best offer for now 37-year-old Kevin Durant<\/a> despite being on his shortlist of trade destinations with the goal of aiming higher for Antetokounmpo.<\/p>\n \u201cGiannis will have a lot of say in where he goes, if it reaches that point,\u201d one source said. <\/p>\n With the potential to include Tyler Herro<\/a> and Kel\u2019el Ware<\/a> in a trade offer, Miami\u2019s possible offerings for a talent like Antetokounmpo are respectable. It\u2019s well known in league circles that Miami has sought to find a superstar to pair with Bam Adebayo<\/a>. In addition to both being represented by Octagon\u2019s Alex Saratsis, Antetokounmpo has long praised Adebayo.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to take a guy that I believe is one of the hardest playing dudes out there,\u201d Antetokounmpo said of Adebayo after picking him in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. \u201cHe gives everything, every single night for his team in order for them to win. Bam Adebayo<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Other East teams that previously registered interest in Antetokounmpo are the Atlanta Hawks and Raptors. However, there is doubt that Jalen Johnson<\/a> would be made available by the Hawks in any trade talks amid his ongoing rise to stardom, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. Toronto has been linked to Anthony Davis<\/a>, but a path to Antetokounmpo would be naturally complicated.<\/p>\n Many developments will be impacted by Antetokounmpo\u2019s market since his availability \u2014 whether immediate or eventual \u2014 would reshape the priorities of contenders and asset-rich teams alike, influencing not only which franchises choose to act aggressively at the deadline, but also which elect to wait, preserve flexibility, or redirect resources toward secondary star options.<\/p>\n Cleveland Cavaliers<\/p>\n Coming off a 64-win regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have since underachieved in the playoffs \u2014 failing to reach the Eastern Conference Finals \u2014 and now sit at 15\u201314, seventh in the Eastern Conference and firmly in the play-in picture.<\/p>\n The Cavaliers\u2019 recent four-game stretch has raised concerns. Cleveland lost to Golden State despite the Warriors being without Stephen Curry<\/a>, Jimmy Butler<\/a>, Draymond Green<\/a>, and Al Horford<\/a>, then narrowly escaped with a four-point win over the 4-20 Washington Wizards behind a 48-point performance from Donovan Mitchell<\/a>. The Cavaliers followed that with a loss to the Charlotte Hornets before absorbing a 16-point defeat to the Chicago Bulls, who entered the matchup having gone just 2\u20138 over their previous 10 games.<\/p>\n There is a growing belief around the NBA that Cleveland has to do something significant soon if the state of affairs does not significantly improve. Whether it involves trading Darius Garland<\/a> and\/or Jarrett Allen<\/a> to create a more balanced roster around Mitchell, or fire head coach Kenny Atkinson, the options are there. <\/p>\n Although no move is believed to be imminent, there are internal questions about Atkinson\u2019s leadership. <\/p>\n \u201cKenny does a great job of building up a young team into a winning program. Does it stop there, though? He hasn\u2019t shown he can take a contender over the top,\u201d one source said. <\/p>\n If the Cavaliers were to eventually move on from Atkinson, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>, that Mitchell\u2019s preferred interim head coach would be current assistant coach Johnnie Bryant. <\/p>\n In terms of roster movement, Garland is viewed as an attractive trade candidate around the NBA with fewer risk than some of the other high-profile guards that teams are monitoring, including Ja Morant<\/a>, LaMelo Ball<\/a>, and Trae Young<\/a>. Additionally, the intel from some NBA teams is a perception that Garland would like to run his own team again at some point, as opposed to being in a more complementary role next to Mitchell.<\/p>\n \u201cDarius is the safest option on the trade market for a team seeking a point guard upgrade,\u201d a source said. \u201cThere are teams who think he can handle more being put on his plate.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sacramento Kings have kept an eye on Garland\u2019s situation as they remain motivated to find a long-term answer at point guard following De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/a>\u2018s departure, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. The Minneota Timberwolves are another known team motivated for point guard help to take pressure off of Anthony Edwards<\/a>. However, it\u2019d be challenging for either team to find a viable path to add Garland.<\/p>\n As for Allen, Cleveland\u2019s stance appears firmer. There are Eastern Conference teams already in the market for a center, but it\u2019s difficult to envision Allen being traded to one of them unless the offer was \u201cirresistible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Allen] has a lot of fans around the NBA, but unless the trade package was just irresistible, it\u2019s hard to see the Cavs being willing to help another team in the East,\u201d one source said. \u201cKeep that in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n As the Cavaliers have attempted to navigate the margins of the roster to field a competitive supporting cast around its core four players, the front office has experienced plenty of misfires. Most notably, the De\u2019Andre Hunter<\/a> trade has grown to be perceived as a failure. Max Strus<\/a> is making $15.9 million and he\u2019s yet to appear in a single game this season. <\/p>\n \u201cThe Cavs are not as deep as they thought they\u2019d be. They\u2019ve struck out on the margins,\u201d one NBA executive said. \u201cTrading for Hunter was an all-in move that didn\u2019t even help them even reach a Conference Final. Now he\u2019s coming off the bench. Ty Jerome<\/a> leaving created a big void that Lonzo Ball<\/a> hasn\u2019t filled\u2026 They\u2019re paying Strus a lot and he fell off after the first year of his contract. They are very limited as far as possible changes are concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n While the attention will naturally be on higher-profile possible trade candidates like Garland or Allen, one player to monitor is Dean Wade<\/a>, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. Averaging 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 22.7 minutes per game, Wade is earning $6.6 million on an expiring deal.<\/p>\n Utah Jazz<\/p>\n Since the introduction of the play-in tournament, the balance between competing and maximizing draft position has become central to the approach of teams like the Utah Jazz, whose 10-17 record sits in the bottom tier of the Western Conference.<\/p>\n Utah\u2019s primary focus is retaining its top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick, which would otherwise convey to the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. Lauri Markkanen<\/a> and Keyonte George<\/a> remain franchise cornerstones, while Kyle Anderson<\/a>, Jusuf Nurki\u0107<\/a>, Kevin Love<\/a>, and Georges Niang<\/a> are viewed as trade candidates.<\/p>\n Contract talks with Walker Kessler<\/a> loom this offseason. As we previously reported<\/a>, Kessler sought upwards of $120 million in total compensation in early discussions, a figure Utah was unwilling to meet. As it stands, Kessler would need to secure an offer of that magnitude on the open market for it to be matched. Utah, however, remains interested in retaining him.<\/p>\n As previously reported, as it stands, Kessler would need to go out and find that type of offer on the open market to get it matched. The Indiana Pacers are a team with known interest ahead of upcoming free agency, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Regardless, Utah remains interested in re-signing Kessler. <\/p>\n One certainty the Jazz can take solace in is leadership. Utah\u2019s organization is confident in head coach Will Hardy to be the leader who guides the organization out of the rebuilding process once that time comes, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. This sentiment is felt at the ownership level.<\/p>\n San Antonio Spurs<\/p>\n The San Antonio Spurs, currently second in the Western Conference with a 21-7 record, have shown meaningful progress without signaling urgency to accelerate their timeline through a major trade.<\/p>\n San Antonio\u2019s run to the NBA Cup final provided a glimpse of what the roster can become once fully healthy and developed, but league sources who have spoken with DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a> have become skeptical that the Spurs will pursue a splashy midseason move that compromises long-term flexibility. The franchise continues to prioritize internal growth around its young core while preserving future assets. <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not going to sit around being satisfied, but I don\u2019t see them making a move like trading for Giannis,\u201d one source said. \u201cThere are more reasonable options out there. They can be patient and opportunistic.\u201d<\/p>\n A few rival NBA teams have pondered if San Antonio could look to add an emerging young talent that would add to their core. One name that was floated to DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a> was Trey Murphy III<\/a> as a potential fit, if the circumstances were to be viable in the future. <\/p>\n \u201cThey have the assets to make a trade like Orlando did to add Desmond Bane<\/a>,\u201d one source said. \u201cIt\u2019d have to be someone that fits their timeline. Someone like a Trey Murphy III<\/a>, for example, could be a strong fit.\u201d<\/p>\n That perspective was echoed publicly following the Cup loss, with rookie guard Dylan Harper<\/a> framing the experience as part of a broader developmental arc rather than a missed opportunity.<\/p>\n \u201cSky is the limit,\u201d Harper said. \u201cIt\u2019s our second game (with a healthy roster). It\u2019s nothing to overreact about. We have won a lot of close games in the Cup or in the season in general. To be on this side is definitely a good learning experience. It teaches us a lot about ourselves, and it\u2019s good that we have a whole lot of room to grow knowing what we have done up to this point.\u201d<\/p>\n That mentality aligns with how rival executives view San Antonio\u2019s approach \u2014 competitive, but patient \u2014 with little appetite to sacrifice future upside for short-term gains.<\/p>\n New Orleans Pelicans<\/p>\n While the New Orleans Pelicans continue to straddle the line between development and evaluation amid a 7-22 start, several teams around the NBA are closely monitoring their roster. Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones naturally command significant interest, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. They aren\u2019t being shopped, so teams with interest in a wing \u2014 like the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors \u2014 would need to construct a genuinely enticing trade package. <\/p>\n Another name increasingly drawing attention is Saddiq Bey<\/a>, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com<\/a>. After missing the entire 2024\u201325 season rehabbing a torn ACL, Bey has re-established himself as a reliable, versatile contributor whose value extends beyond box-score production.<\/p>\n