Mavs Reportedly Seeking Impact Perimeter Defender, Make Gafford Available

The Maverickswho remains on the lookout for a hitting perimeter defender, has dangled in the middle Daniel Gafford in the conversations, according to Christian Clark of The Athletic.

Clark first reported at the start of the month that Dallas was exploring the idea of ​​pursuing a player who could upgrade the club’s perimeter defense. He mentioned Pelicans forward Herbert Jones at the time, but acknowledged that New Orleans was unlikely to move him.

Jones is now out indefinitely with a shoulder ailment, but before that injury the Pelicans’ asking price for him was “extraordinarily high,” according to Clark, who did not identify any other specific players the Mavs may be looking at, noting that the options that are commercially available for a needle moving shock protection may be limited.

Still, Clark’s suggestion that Dallas is open to making Gafford available is noteworthy. The Mavs gave up a late 2024 first-round pick for the veteran big at last season’s deadline, and he helped the team reach the NBA Finals and started all 21 playoff games this spring.

As effective as Gafford has been since arriving in Dallas, he’s essentially a backup center, averaging a modest 20.0 minutes per game. game this season as he has taken a backseat to the rising second-year big man Derek Lively. Gafford contributes 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per night with a FG of 0.706%. The Mavs have a -2.0 net rating in his minutes, compared to a +8.1 point when Lively is on the floor.

It’s also worth mentioning that if Dallas needs to bundle contracts to acquire a player making $20MM or more, Gafford’s $13.4MM cap hit could come in handy. Outside Maxi Glue ($11MM), every other Maverick making over $4MM is a fixture in the rotation when healthy.

Gafford is under contract for one season beyond 2024/25, with a guaranteed salary of $14.4 million for ’25/26. He is currently back in the Mavs’ starting lineup while Lively recovers from a right ankle sprain that will sideline him again on Friday vs. Oklahoma City.