The Chicago Bulls need to stop waiting and start dialing. Bringing back former big man Daniel Gafford is the smartest play on the board. Dallas is ready to move him, and Chicago desperately needs that help. This isn’t just a nice notion; it’s a critical fix for a thin roster.
The Roster Needs a Real Center
Chicago currently lacks depth at the center spot. Jalen Smith can play small-ball five, but he fits better at power forward. Behind him sits a ragtag group of Caleb Wilson, Noa Essengue, and Leonard Miller. These players can’t fill the void left by a true rim protector. Nic Claxton is on the roster, but the team needs more options. Gafford would be a snug fit in this system. According to reports, the Mavericks are “still fielding offers” for the 27-year-old (a player who averages 1.9 blocks). That is the green light Chicago has been waiting for.
Do you really think a ragtag group can save the defense?
Stats That Prove the Fit
Gafford brings numbers the Bulls desperately need. He averaged 11.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks last season between Washington and Dallas. Across seven NBA seasons, he owns career averages of 9.3 points and 1.5 blocks on 70.2 percent shooting. These aren’t just good stats; they’re elite efficiency numbers. He’d undoubtedly be an upgrade over Zach Collins. Collins only played 10 games last season due to a toe injury (a career-limiting setback). Pairing Gafford with Claxton gives the Bulls a high-level rim protector at all times. Per Pippen Ain’t Easy, the Bulls could use some depth at the center spot immediately.
Imagine the paint protection with both of them on the floor.
Can the Money Actually Work?
The contract is the only real hurdle here. Gafford is entering the first year of a three-year, $54.4 million extension. The Bulls aren’t flush with cap space after taking on Claxton’s $44 million. However, the deal isn’t impossible to make happen. Zach Collins is on an $8.5 million expiring contract. Norman Powell’s deal is only guaranteed for this season. The Bulls could maneuver around enough to make Gafford’s salary work. They have the pieces to move. The team just needs to pull the trigger. A trade involving Collins or Powell clears the path for Gafford. This is a win for the front office.
Why let the perfect opportunity slip away?
The Bulls have the assets to get this done. They just need the guts to make the call. Do you think Chicago should trade for Gafford? Let us know in the comments below.
