Daniel Gafford is still a valuable piece of the Mavericks’ puzzle in 2026-27

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.

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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…

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Publish date : 2026-10-15 10:15:00

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