Daniel Gafford was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024 to pair his rim-running abilities with Luka Doncic’s playmaking. Gafford quickly became a key part of the Mavericks, contributing to Dallas’ 2024 NBA Finals run. Two and a half years later, the entire franchise has been flipped upside down, with everything around Gafford changing. Doncic, traded. Coach Kidd, gone. A new budding star in Cooper Flagg. On a roster that has completely transformed since his arrival, Gafford has remained one of Dallas’ few
constants.
The previous front office regime signed Daniel Gafford to a three-year, $60 million contract extension in the 2025 offseason. As the 28-year-old enters his third full season in Dallas, he will have to carve out a role for himself in a new offensive system led by Coach Dusty May. The Mavericks are a frontcourt-centric team, leaving Gafford among the group jockeying for position in the center rotation. As the Mavericks progress towards building a contender around Flagg, they will have to evaluate Gafford’s role with the team. With early frontcourt injuries, Gafford will have an opportunity to cement his place in the Mavericks’ future.
Big Question
Can Gafford evolve his offense under Coach May’s system? For the entirety of his career, Gafford’s offensive role has been setting screens, rolling hard to the basket, and finishing at the rim. He is one of the league’s best finishers, scoring efficiently at the basket every season. Coach May wants the Mavericks to shoot more threes, something that stood out in the Mavericks’ two preseason games in Macao. When asked about adding a three-point shot to his game, Gafford noted that the coaching staff is putting a lot of faith in him and that it will be uncomfortable at first. Gafford had one career three-point attempt from his early years with the Washington Wizards.
Gafford answered the call in the first quarter of the Mavericks’ first preseason game in Macao against the Rockets with a spot-up three off a crafty pass from Sergio de Larrea. It’s safe to say he shook off his discomfort early with his impressively smooth jump shot.
Coach May values bigs who can play as “connectors,” who can dribble, pass, and shoot. For Gafford, this means short-roll passing and shooting the occasional three when open. Coach May has given Gafford a green light, as long as he “earns the right.” With Dereck Lively out to start the season, Gafford has an early opportunity to adapt his game to the Mavericks’ new system.
Best Case Scenario
The best case for Gafford starts with a healthy season. He hasn’t played more than 57 games in a single season in Dallas. With Kyrie Irving returning from a torn ACL and Flagg’s gravity, Gafford’s presence on both ends of the floor has already stood out to his teammates. An ideal season for Gafford is putting what Coach May envisions into play. His efficiency dropped slightly last season, likely due to the previously mentioned circumstances in Dallas. The best-case scenario is that he improves his efficiency and averages around 11 points, seven rebounds and close to two blocks. To add, he hits the occasional three, effectively passes out of short rolls, and doesn’t get burnt on switches. That version of Gafford becomes one of the league’s most valuable contracts at the center position.
Worst Case Scenario
Gafford falls down the pecking order of the center rotation. A quick return from Dereck Lively, combined with Morez Johnson earning Coach May’s trust early in the big leagues, could make Gafford the odd man out. If Santi Aldama emerges as a back-up stretch five, Gafford could fall even further down the totem pole.
The injuries from last season come back, and he’s in and out of the lineup again. By February, his $17 million contract ages poorly for a third-string or lower center, leaving Dallas no choice but to shop him for a lower price than it could have gotten last summer.
Season Goal
Stay on the floor and make the spot-up three a real part of his game. A realistic average attempts-per-game goal should be less than one, since he is just now adding this to his game. Gafford has struggled to put together a full, healthy season since the Mavericks’ Finals run. If he can play 70 games this season, it will be hard for Coach May to deny him playing time. If he can stay on the floor consistently and still has the green light from behind the arc come All-Star break, the season will be considered a success for Gafford.
Overall
Gafford has survived a coaching change, front office and roster overhaul, the biggest trade in sports history, and trade rumors of his own. Despite the rumors, the Mavericks’ new regime praised Gafford throughout training camp, outlining a path for him to be a part of their future. If Gafford can acclimate to the new-look Mavericks, he will continue to be a valuable piece to the Mavericks’ puzzle as they build towards a contending roster around Flagg.
