The Golden State Warriors’ dynasty has faced its share of challenges, but their latest move might just reignite their championship spark. After a humbling second-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves, exposed by Julius Randle’s dominance and their own cold shooting stretches, the Warriors knew change was inevitable. Despite acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline, their undersized roster and defensive gaps were glaring. Enter a blockbuster three-team trade with the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks that could reshape the Western Conference and beyond.
This speculative trade sees the Warriors land a defensive anchor, the Hawks bolster their frontcourt, and the Mavericks pivot toward future flexibility while addressing immediate needs. Here’s how it shakes out:
Warriors Receive: Daniel Gafford
Hawks Receive: P.J. Washington
Mavericks Receive: Moses Moody, Georges Niang, a 2025 1st-round pick (No. 22 overall, via ATL), and a top-10 protected 2028 1st-round pick (via GSW)
Let’s dive into why this deal makes sense for each team, what’s at stake, and why this trade could be the talk of the 2025 NBA offseason.
Warriors Find Their Missing Piece
The Warriors’ dynasty has been built on Stephen Curry’s unmatched shooting and Draymond Green’s defensive genius, but their lack of size was brutally exposed against Minnesota. Daniel Gafford, a rim-protecting, rebound-devouring big man from Dallas, is the perfect antidote. His athleticism and defensive instincts make him an ideal fit alongside Curry and Butler, giving Golden State a lob threat and a paint enforcer they’ve lacked since their early championship runs.
Gafford’s ability to set screens, roll hard, and clean the glass will open up the Warriors’ motion offense while easing the defensive burden on Green. At 26, he’s young enough to grow with the team’s core but polished enough to contribute immediately. Trading Moses Moody, a promising but expendable wing, and a protected future pick is a small price to pay for a player who fills such a critical need.
Why the Warriors hesitate: Losing Moody, a homegrown talent with upside, stings. The draft pick, though protected, could be valuable in a future deal. Golden State might explore other bigs on the market, but few offer Gafford’s blend of youth, defense, and fit.
Hawks Make a Bold Bet on P.J. Washington
Atlanta’s offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one. With a starting five of Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu, the Hawks have a talented core but a razor-thin bench. NBA insider Marc Stein has reported that Atlanta could play facilitator in the trade market, leveraging their financial flexibility under the NBA’s CBA apron rules. Landing P.J. Washington from Dallas is a power move that addresses their frontcourt depth and injury concerns, especially given Johnson’s injury history.
Washington, a versatile forward with size and shooting, is a significant upgrade over Atlanta’s current bench options. He can slide between the three and four spots, stretch the floor, and hold his own defensively. Pairing him with Okongwu gives the Hawks a dynamic frontcourt rotation capable of matching up with the East’s best. Using the No. 22 pick to acquire a proven veteran like Washington is a savvy way to accelerate their timeline.
Why the Hawks pause: Washington’s expiring contract raises questions. Will Atlanta extend him long-term, or is he a one-year rental? Keeping the first-round pick to draft a rookie or pursue another veteran might appeal more, especially if the Hawks believe their core needs cheaper, younger talent.
Mavericks Pivot Post-Doncic, Eye Future
Dallas shocked the basketball world by trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers, and Kyrie Irving’s ACL tear only complicates their win-now aspirations. With a crowded frontcourt featuring Daniel Gafford, Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and incoming draft phenom Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks are primed to deal. This trade nets them Moses Moody, Georges Niang, and two valuable picks, giving them flexibility now and later.
Moody, a 22-year-old wing with 3-and-D potential, steps into Dallas’ backcourt as a low-cost option while Irving recovers. His youth aligns with Flagg’s timeline, and his versatility makes him a plug-and-play piece. Niang, a sharpshooting forward, adds bench scoring and spacing. The No. 22 pick could land a point guard like Walter Clayton Jr., while the protected 2028 pick from Golden State is a hedge against future uncertainty. For a team retooling after losing Doncic, this haul balances immediate help with long-term assets.
Why the Mavericks reconsider: Gafford and Washington are proven contributors, and Dallas might hold out for a bigger return. Moody isn’t a true point guard, and the Mavericks could prioritize a veteran playmaker to steady the ship. Still, the draft capital and young talent make this deal intriguing.
Why This Trade Works
The NBA’s new CBA and apron rules have made three-team trades more common, and this deal showcases how teams can creatively address needs. Golden State gets the size and defense they desperately need. Atlanta upgrades its frontcourt without sacrificing its core. Dallas turns expendable pieces into a mix of youth and picks, staying competitive while planning for the future. Each team takes a calculated risk, but the potential rewards are massive.
This trade is speculative, but it highlights the kind of bold moves that could define the 2025 offseason. Will the Warriors make another title run with Gafford anchoring the paint? Can the Hawks solidify their place in the East with Washington’s versatility? And how will Dallas navigate a post-Doncic world? One thing’s for sure: if this deal goes down, the NBA landscape will never look the same.