Another member of the Dallas Mavericks’ 2024 NBA Finals team could soon be leaving town.
The Dallas Mavericks are actively fielding trade offers on center Daniel Gafford, veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported this week during a podcast appearance. This news comes with roughly three months still to go before the start of the new NBA season.
Gafford, 27, has been with the Mavericks since 2024. He immediately became a fan favorite that year due to his energy, hustle, and passion that helped the team make it to the NBA Finals for their first time since 2011.
But Gafford did have a slight regression for Dallas last season, averaging 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He largely failed to impress at the center spot despite his fellow 5 man Dereck Lively II missing almost the entire year due to a foot injury.
Gafford signed a three-year, $54.4 million contract extension with the Mavericks in 2025, keeping him tied to the franchise through 2029. But with Dallas now embarking on a committed rebuild, Gafford is no longer a piece that makes as much sense for them.
It remains to be seen exactly how the Mavericks will continue to build around new franchise player Cooper Flagg, rookie Morez Johnson Jr., and the rest of their new young core. But Gafford could be among multiple veteran players on the Mavericks who are playing elsewhere before long.
