When Daniel Gafford boarded the plane from Washington to Dallas in February 2024, it was believed he was one of the missing pieces to being a true title contender. The Mavericks witnessed in real time what Luka Doncic could do with a lob threat center in rookie Dereck Lively II, and adding a second threat would solidify the Dallas backcourt. That wet dream came true.
In his first game as a Maverick against the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder, Gafford recorded 19 points and 9 rebounds. Dallas took
Oklahoma City to the woodshed in Gafford’s debut, beating them in front of a raucous AAC crowd 146-111. In his first season with Dallas, the big man averaged 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, in 21.5 minutes.
During the 2024 title run, Gafford’s size and athletic ability proved to be an advantage for the Mavs, as he was a matchup nightmare for the Clippers, Thunder, and Timberwolves, especially off the bench. However, his inability to defend in space proved problematic against the champion Celtics, and he became all but unplayable.
That high-and-low seesaw has been the soundtrack of the past two seasons for Gafford. His moments of dominance are typically followed by stretches of poor play with frequent injuries sprinkled throughout.
The Nico Harrison vision
When Nico Harrison traded for Anthony Davis, the vision was that the Mavericks would bolster an ultra-big lineup that would be impossible to score on (at least in the paint). Anthony Davis was slated to play the power forward next to either Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively II. The vision blew up seven games into the season after Lively suffered a season-ending foot injury. Injuries to Dallas big men have unfortunately become the norm, and Gafford was no exception.
Gafford was coming off his 2024-2025 season of playing only 57 games, his lowest since the COVID bubble 2020-2021 season. Fresh off a 3-year/$54 million extension in the summer, Gafford came in with something to prove. Minus Lively, and with the runway of the full season, it was his time to shoulder the load. He had shown in flashes what he could do with an expanded role. Shortly after Doncic went out (forever) on Christmas Day 2024, Gafford showed signs of excellence. In January 2025, he averaged 14.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. He was beginning to show signs that he could be a solid and consistent starting center.
But then everything fell apart. Gafford missed the next two months due to a knee injury, only returning for the last few games of the season, as the Mavericks tried to make a play-in run. He wasn’t the same and hasn’t really been the same since.
Season in review
Gafford had a plethora of other nagging injuries this season, the most severe being multiple ankle sprains that have not allowed him to stay on the court consistently. He played 55 games this season. His averages were still near normal for him, at 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. But the eye test said he wasn’t right.
Whether it was the fit alongside Davis, lack of a true point guard, or being bothered by injuries, Gafford had another season to forget. It was probably all three of those factors. He’s an effort and energy guy that the fans love, and players feed off of. But his biggest strength in showcasing his athleticism was largely suppressed this season. Maybe it was the ankle, or the knee, or just mental exhaustion from all the drama (I get it), he just didn’t look the same.
He had stretches once again of good play, with his best game coming on a March 12 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. Gafford posted 22 points, 14 rebounds, and a block. It was the only win for the Mavericks in a span of over a month. March was his best month, putting together averages of 15.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game in 12 games. December was his worst month at 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game in nine games.
After another season riddled with injuries, it’s probably safe to say Gafford is at best a good backup center. He’s a touch undersized for a starting-caliber center, but if he’s healthy, he provides great minutes off the bench. As he proved, he can be a rotation piece on a contending team.
Contract status
If he can stay on the floor, Gafford is a value piece. His 3-year contract extension kicks in this upcoming summer, as he’ll be making $17.2 million in 2026-2027, $18.1 million in 2027-2028, and $18.9 million in 2028-2029. With swirling questions around Dereck Lively II, what the Mavericks do next with Gafford will be interesting. He was a player teams called about at the trade deadline, and if he bumps up his value next season with health, the offers might become too good to say “no” to.
Looking ahead
Not to beat a dead horse (okay, bad pun), but the big question next year for Gafford and Dallas will be his health. He’ll turn 28 in October and is not getting any younger. If he can be on the court back to old Daniel Gafford, he’s probably a piece worth keeping around. If the injuries continue to pile up, Dallas may once again take phone calls. In the era of Cooper Flagg, health and youth are of the utmost importance.
Grade: C+
Gafford played fairly well when he was at his healthiest, but that didn’t happen often enough. The Mavericks need much more from Gafford if he’s on the roster going forward.
