Daniel Gafford’s Trade Value Hits a Snag as Injuries Cloud His Season
When the Dallas Mavericks inked Daniel Gafford to a three-year, $54 million extension this past offseason, it was a calculated move. The deal kept his salary just under the threshold that would’ve made him ineligible for a trade this season.
That detail left the door open for flexibility - a potential chip Dallas could play ahead of the trade deadline. But as we near February 5, that door isn’t just closing - it’s creaking on rusted hinges.
Gafford’s season has been marred by a nagging right ankle sprain that dates back to training camp. He’s suited up for Dallas’ last three games, but his minutes have been limited - he hasn’t logged more than 17 in a single game since November 24 against the Miami Heat.
Head coach Jason Kidd has been cautious with his usage, and it’s not hard to see why. Gafford simply hasn’t looked like himself.
The bounce that made him a force around the rim - both as a lob threat and shot-blocker - hasn’t fully returned.
To make matters worse, he’s re-aggravated that same ankle multiple times already this season. It’s clear he’s still not at full strength, and that creates a frustrating uncertainty for the Mavericks. They don’t know when - or if - Gafford will return to the form that made him such an intriguing piece in their frontcourt rotation.
And that’s where the trade picture gets complicated.
With Dereck Lively II undergoing season-ending surgery, Dallas is already thin in the big man department. Gafford, on a $14.3 million salary this season before his extension kicks in next year, would normally be one of the team’s most movable contracts. But the way things are trending, moving him might not be as simple as picking up the phone.
Other teams are watching, and they’re seeing what Dallas is seeing - a player who hasn’t looked right physically, and whose production has dipped across the board. Gafford is averaging just 8.2 points per game and shooting 61.4% from the field - the lowest mark of his career. For a big who thrives on high-percentage looks around the rim, that’s a red flag.
There’s also been a noticeable decline in his rebounding and offensive presence. He’s not getting the lift he needs in post-up or face-up situations, and that’s made it harder for him to finish through contact or elevate for second-chance opportunities.
Some might point to the absence of Luka Dončić as a primary pick-and-roll partner, but Gafford actually looked more effective late last season even after the Dončić trade. This isn’t about chemistry - it’s about health.
That said, it’s not all doom and gloom. Gafford has still shown flashes of what he can bring defensively.
Over the last two games, he’s racked up seven blocks, reminding everyone that when he’s on the floor, his timing and instincts as a rim protector remain a real asset. That’s the silver lining Dallas is holding onto.
The Mavericks aren’t in a desperate spot here. Gafford’s extension is reasonable, and if he can get healthy, he still fits into the long-term vision.
But when it comes to flipping him before the deadline, the window is shrinking. Unless he can string together a stretch of consistent, two-way play, it’s hard to imagine teams lining up to take a chance on a banged-up big whose best asset - his athleticism - currently looks compromised.
For now, Gafford remains a wait-and-see player. And for Dallas, the waiting game is starting to feel more like a gamble.