Mavericks must make this glaring move with fan-favorite to become unstoppable

The Dallas Mavericks' regular season is just around the corner, with training camp and preseason finally tipping off. While the hype level for the season is at an all-time high, only one game into the slate of preseason games, the Mavericks are set to play, and it's already clear what changes need to be made as the regular season approaches.

There's no doubt that roster changes are at the top of everyone's mind, and while plenty of fans would love for the Mavericks to take a swing on Dennis Smith Jr. or Dalano Banton at the sacrifice of a player like Dante Exum or Dwight Powell, the reality is the Mavericks still need to control their play on the floor. With this in mind, Daniel Gafford may need to take more of an offensive first mindset in his second full season in Dallas in order to reach a new level without Luka Doncic on the Mavericks.

For over a season and a half, Gafford has been one of Dallas' best pick-and-roll bigs, only behind the likes of Dereck Lively II. While being a pick-and-roll beast, Gafford has also shown the ability to develop an interior post game, which may be a facet of his offensive wizardry that the Mavericks need to see more of this season, especially without the presence of a playmaker like Doncic.

Daniel Gafford must be willing to take on a more direct offensive role

It should go without saying, but without the likes of a Kyrie Irving or even a Doncic on your squad, other players will need to pick up the offensive faults within the margins. This likely means that more players will be spreading the floor than usual, and we may even see more players handle the rock than ever before under Jason Kidd, and this is no different with Gafford.

Last season, Gafford found plenty of success inside the paint from 5-9 feet away from the basket using his footwork and incredible touch around the rim to feed his offensive game. Although this may sound like yet another reason the Mavericks may not have enough shooters around the perimeter, after inking a contract extension in the summer, Gafford's ever-evolving post game expands the Mavericks' offense and what they can do.

Gafford hasn't traditionally been known as a player who can spread the ball, but assuming he returns to shooting 50 percent on shots from 5-9 feet away from the basket, it could open up cutting lanes for players like Cooper Flagg or P.J. Washington. This would not only add yet another wrinkle to Kidd's offense, but Gafford was also one of the most elite finishers inside of five feet by converting on 73.5 percent of the shots he attempted.

These types of shooting splits don't just get you talked about for having an incredible shot around the rim, but they also get Gafford's name into the conversation of one of the most efficient finishers inside the paint. In the limited games that Gafford played without Doncic, his attempts in the pick-and-roll fell off a cliff, which forced the seven-footer to take more shots using his touch and footwork.

Gafford opening his bag within the paint would not only help the Mavericks, but it would also help space the floor. Assuming Gafford could get the ball at the nail or high elbow, he could easily use his body to work inside for his patented push shot or by allowing cutters to fill the lane for an easy rebound or pass attempt.

With the Mavericks desperately searching for answers on how to expand their offensive bag as a team, opening Gafford's play ability inside the paint would only have good effects. The Mavericks have shown that they want to play fast in transition, but during the many times that they are stuck in the halfcourt, feeding Gafford would not be a bad option.