Daniel Gafford is giving the Mavericks a reason to abandon trade plans

Daniel Gafford has had an outstanding start to the year for the Dallas Mavericks. He's averaging 10.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting a career-high 75.0 percent from the field.

The Mavericks should not trade Daniel Gafford

Gafford is anchoring the paint on both ends of the floor while Dereck Lively II continues to work his way back from a foot injury that has kept him out since November of last year, and his play as of late is giving Dallas a reason to abandon their former plans of shopping the 28-year-old big man.

The former Arkansas Razorback has been on the trade block for multiple years since he was acquired by Dallas in February 2024, and they remained open to trading him this offseason. This includes the Mavericks' new front office, led by Masai Ujiri, but they ultimately decided to hold onto him.

Gafford has been a monster lately

He has provided great insurance down low for the team, considering that Lively still hasn't played, and the front office's former openness to move on from Gafford should be put to the side for the time being. Gaff has been one of Dallas' most impactful defenders this season due to his fearlessness when protecting the rim, and his two most recent games have been a microcosm of the type of impact he can provide when he's fully healthy.

He has put up a combined 38 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks over the last two games, and his game on Monday night against the Sacramento Kings was his best performance of the season.

Gafford put up 20 points, and his finishing around the rim was outstanding. He finished multiple reverse layups, caught a lob from Cooper Flagg, and even hit an and-one fadeaway jumper on Domantas Sabonis from the middle of the lane. Sabonis struggled to contain Gafford in the paint, and his energy left a major mark despite Dallas walking away with a loss.

Dallas needs Gafford right now

The Mavs have needed some consistency inside, especially with Morez Johnson Jr. going through some early growing pains, and Gafford has been the most reliable big man on the team thus far. Dallas' frontcourt has been banged up, as Santi Aldama and Lively haven't played yet, and Gafford has been a sense of stability for a young team trying to stay on track.

With Gafford playing this well, the Mavericks should not be looking to trade him unless they receive an offer that absolutely blows them away. This would be a significant change from the stance they've taken with him over the last few years, but his play should make the front office realize that they need to hold onto him right now.

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