Anthony Davis trade rumors will always dominate the headline space. Even after the Hawks traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards, his name keeps popping up as a possible “replacement star” for Atlanta to chase. Recently, the case was made as to why the Hawks should not trade for Davis in this new era, especially now that their franchise guard is gone. The risk, cost, and timing simply do not line up, which is why the Hawks need a safer trade option at center.
In that context, the better path is to look at a safer trade option at center, not another all in swing. That is where Daniel Gafford enters the conversation. He is not the marquee name Davis is, but he looks like the kind of move that actually fits where this team is right now and how it should be rebuilding its identity.
Safer Hawks Trade Option: Daniel Gafford Over Anthony Davis
Gafford is not a superstar, but he does not need to be. He is a rim runner who blocks shots, finishes lobs, and understands his role. The Hawks do not need another high-usage offensive focal point. They need a big who raises their floor, covers defensive gaps, and complements their ball handlers. A safer trade option like Gafford does that without forcing the franchise to empty its asset chest.
With Davis, the upside remains obvious. When healthy, he can anchor a defense and carry long stretches of offense. The key phrase there is “when healthy.” To acquire him, the Hawks would likely have to send out multiple first-round picks, young talent, and matching salaries, then build around a star whose availability has been inconsistent. If that gamble does not lead to deep playoff runs right away, Atlanta could be stuck with a thin roster and little flexibility.
A low-risk center trade for Gafford tells a very different story. You still upgrade the position, but the cost in picks and players stays much lower. You get a starting-caliber big who screens hard, dives to the rim, and lives as a play finisher. He does not need post touches or isolations. He just needs guards and wings who can get downhill and reward his effort at the rim. That fits the offense the Hawks can build with their current core, rather than forcing them to reinvent everything around a new superstar.
Gafford’s fit with Atlanta’s perimeter creators is straightforward. Hard screens create space. Vertical spacing punishes drop coverage. Weak-side defenders must choose between tagging the roll or staying glued to shooters. Those simple actions create easy reads and high-percentage looks. A safer trade option like this gives Atlanta more efficient possessions without asking anyone to sacrifice their natural game.
Marc Stein reports that the Hawks and Mavs could pivot to discussing a Daniel Gafford trade, which would take Zaccharie Risacher out of the equation completely.
The Celtics and Pacers also have interest in Gafford. https://t.co/Dqzj4liksW pic.twitter.com/TSDw2UNicz
— Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 (@MavsFilmRoom) January 11, 2026
Why This Path Fits Atlanta
Defense is where Gafford might help the most. The Hawks have been searching for a steady presence on the back line. Gafford offers that in a direct, uncomplicated way. He blocks shots, alters drives, and finishes possessions on the glass. He is not chasing Defensive Player of the Year votes, but he reliably covers the paint. A low-risk center trade that locks in that kind of rim protection can stabilize a defense that has been far too shaky.
Contract and asset costs make the contrast even sharper. Anthony Davis deal likely wipes out multiple firsts and takes several rotation players off the board. It ties a huge portion of the cap to a star with a long injury history. If the fit is anything less than perfect, you have very few tools left to fix it.
Gafford, on the other hand, comes at a fraction of that price. If it does not work, the Hawks can pivot without tearing everything down. That is the core appeal of a safer trade option: it gives you upside without trapping you.
Atlanta is not one move away from being a clear title favorite. They are closer to a team that needs to deepen the roster, develop Jalen Johnson, integrate the roster changes that came after moving on from their former franchise guard, and build a more balanced identity. In that context, chasing a solid, rim-protecting, rim-running center makes far more sense than an all-in swing for Davis. Gafford may not bring the same star power, but he is the Hawks’ safer trade option.
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