Hawks Should Reject Daniel Gafford Trade Proposal Involving Onyeka Okongwu

The Atlanta Hawks can't seem to escape trade rumors. A new proposal from Fadeaway World has them acquiring Daniel Gafford by way of the Dallas Mavericks.

But it costs them a pretty penny.

Specifically, they'd flip Onyeka Okongwu for Gafford. Spoiler alert: I don't love this idea. I will say that there is some driving rationale behind it.

So let's dig into the details.

Atlanta Hawks Receive: Daniel Gafford, Aaron Nesmith, 2027 second-round pick (via CHI)

Indiana Pacers Receive: Max Christie, Mouhamed Gueye, 2029 second-round pick (via CLE), 2030 second-round pick (via NYK)

Dallas Mavericks Receive: Onyeka Okongwu

This is not an unreasonable suggestion.

From a pure talent perspective, it's roughly fair. Nesmith would be a significant addition to this team. He'd add some ball-handling that the Hawks could use, and he's a strong defender.

That's not even the author's main point. They are largely suggesting that the Hawks could use Gafford's size. To be sure, he's a more traditional big man than Okongwu.

But that's part of the problem.

That all makes sense. It's just that it pales in comparison to the downside of losing Okongwu's floor spacing.

It's something I've written about here ad nauseam. At the risk of beating a dead horse, it's worth repeating if we're assessing this proposal. At 37.6% from deep, Okongwu was one of the best stretch fives in the NBA last season.

Gafford has never been a floor spacer. He's a better rim protector and a beefier presence on the interior, but with Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels on this roster, Okongwu's floor spacing is more essential. The Hawks are trading one problem, a lack of size, for a larger one here.

There are other nits to pick. Gueye should not be treated as a mere throw-in. He's a dynamic defender who could be valuable to the Hawks in 2026-27. Still, he'd be expendable at the right price.

It should also be noted that Gafford is highly injury-prone. That doesn't have to be a deal breaker — anyone can get hurt in the NBA — but it does add a risk factor.

Okongwu is only expendable at one price: one where the Hawks bring a stretch five back in return. Otherwise, that's a wrinkle they need too badly in their offense to part with.

So can we keep him out of trade rumors until further notice?

Grade: C+