Veesaar injury may weaken Hawks’ interest in Gafford trade
Yahoo Sports reports Henri Veesaar is expected to miss the 2026–27 season after an ACL tear, potentially changing Atlanta’s calculus on Dallas centre Daniel Gafford.
Atlanta Hawks rookie Henri Veesaar reportedly tore his ACL during a workout on 15 September and is expected to miss the 2026–27 season. Yahoo Sports says the injury leaves the club with less incentive to pursue Dallas Mavericks centre Daniel Gafford.
The report says Dallas is seeking a first-round pick for Gafford, while Atlanta had been unwilling to offer one. It links Dallas’s firm price to the Mavericks no longer needing to shed salary after trading Anthony Davis to Washington.
Veesaar’s absence reduces Atlanta’s frontcourt depth, but Yahoo Sports argues the Hawks may look to their existing centre options rather than give up a future asset for Gafford. Onyeka Okongwu and Jock Landale are identified as the other centre options.
The report also says Mouhamed Gueye, who had foot surgery in July, is expected to miss the start of the season and will be reevaluated in three to four months.
Yahoo Sports characterises the Gafford trade window as closed, but its account does not establish that formal negotiations took place or definitively ended.
