Daniel Gafford, the 6-foot-10 center for the Dallas Mavericks, struggled with persistent ankle pain during Tuesday night’s game against the Boston Celtics at the American Airlines Center. Despite visibly favoring his right foot and going down late in the first half, Gafford was able to return to the court for 11 minutes in the second half, contributing 10 points and 12 rebounds in Dallas’ 110-100 loss. As the NBA trade deadline approached on Thursday, questions arose about whether those tough minutes could be Gafford’s last as a Maverick.
Gafford’s Steady Mindset Amid Trade Deadline Uncertainty
Addressing speculation about a possible trade, Gafford expressed a calm and pragmatic outlook.
“There’s no surprise to me when it comes to this league,”
he told The Dallas Morning News.
“It’s a business, so at the end of the day, if it takes me having to be moved, I just put the next foot forward and keep pushing. You know, God’s got me at the end of the day.”
Having experienced trades before—moving from Chicago to Washington in 2021, and then from Washington to Dallas in 2024—Gafford is familiar with the volatility that comes with the trade deadline. These moves have played a part in Dallas’ recent surprising run to the NBA Finals, where they ultimately fell to Boston.
Mavericks’ Rebuild and Gafford’s Trade Value in the Market
After signing a three-year, $54 million contract extension last summer, Gafford remains a key figure amid Dallas’ current struggles. The Mavericks, sitting at 19-31, are far from the contending team they aimed to be, and the franchise appears ready to begin rebuilding around young talent like Cooper Flagg. Despite ongoing ankle problems that have made Gafford miss 16 games this season, he is seen as Dallas’ most tradable asset.
Boston was considered a potential destination until they acquired Nikola Vucevic in a trade on Tuesday. Additionally, teams such as Toronto and Indiana have reportedly expressed interest in bolstering their frontcourt with Gafford.
Gafford’s Focus Remains on Performance Regardless of Team Status
In the face of uncertainty, Gafford stays focused on his role.
“I focus on the main task at hand,”
he said.
“That’s coming in and doing my job, no matter what team that I’m on. I mean, I love it here, so if I can stay here, that’s the main goal.”
Averaging 8.4 points and 6.0 rebounds this season, Gafford recently delivered a strong performance with 16 points and 11 rebounds in a game against Houston. His resilience was evident as he returned after the ankle scare Tuesday despite not starting the third quarter, illustrating his commitment to the team.
“It’s just a love for the game, honestly,”
he noted.
“Every day ain’t promised. So I’m trying to take advantage of the things I can do – and not worry about the things that I can’t, whenever I’m not on the floor.”
Impact of Trade Deadline Pressure from Coach and Player Perspectives
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd acknowledged the challenges players face around the trade deadline, although he downplayed distractions for professionals.
“I think that’s in the small print of the contract,”
Kidd half-joked.
“Sometimes we don’t look at that or read that, but that’s just being a pro and the guys in both lock rooms — because there was a trade in the other locker room — understand that.”
Gafford added that the trade deadline weighs more heavily on younger players.
“But it’s a business day-in, day-out,”
he said.
“You never know what your destination is going to be.”
He emphasized the need for constant vigilance:
“So you just have to not necessarily walk around on eggshells, but always keep your head on the swivel because you never know what’s going to happen. At the end of the day, whatever team you’re on, you’ve got a job to do.”
Gafford’s Season Challenges and Its Link to Past Struggles
This year’s injury setbacks have drawn parallels to earlier times in Gafford’s career, particularly a difficult season in Washington. However, his perseverance helped him emerge as a pivotal figure on the Mavericks during their recent NBA Finals run against the Celtics. Whether the second half on Tuesday represents Gafford’s final contribution in a Dallas uniform remains uncertain, but his professionalism and dedication remain clear throughout this challenging period.
