The Dallas Mavericks are locking down Daniel Gafford.
Gafford and the Mavericks intend to sign a three-year, $54 million contract extension in the coming days, according to multiplereports. The deal will keep Gafford in Dallas through the 2028-29 campaign.
Gafford is coming off a career season in Dallas, where he averaged 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game. He shot 70.2% from the field, too. Last season was Gafford’s first full one with the Mavericks, who struck a deal for him with the Washington Wizards ahead of the deadline in 2024.
Gafford, who will turn 27 this fall, is entering the final year of a three-year, $40 million deal he first signed with the Wizards. He’s set to make about $14.4 million next season.
Though Gafford isn’t the Mavericks’ marquee center, he’s been a very solid piece for the team’s frontcourt — which has since been bolstered by the additions of Dereck Lively and Anthony Davis, who landed in Dallas as part of the stunning deal that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks also have the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft this week, where they’re expected to select former Duke star Cooper Flagg.
The Mavericks went 39-43 last season, and ended up missing the playoffs after struggling significantly following the Dončić trade. But with their new frontcourt solidified, Flagg coming in and star Kyrie Irving expected to make it back on the court at some point next season after his ACL injury, the Mavericks are still in a good position in the Western Conference. From there the team was just a few months ago in the wake of the trade that had fans gunning for general manager Nico Harrison’s job, that’s a pretty remarkable turnaround.
