Mavericks are officially tank-ready after latest cruel injury blow

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford went down with a right shoulder contusion in the fourth quarter of last night's game against the Golden State Warriors, marking the second game in a row that he injured his right shoulder. With the Mavericks' starting center suffering another injury in a season filled with adversity, Dallas should be ready to embrace the tank and look ahead to next season.

Gafford's shoulder injury just accelerated Dallas' tank

The Mavericks have lost 23 of their last 27 games, raising the question of whether they've already been tanking for a few months, but Gafford's injury gives them the perfect excuse to pack it in for the year. He has already been battling an ankle injury since the season even began, and it may be in their best interest to shut down their fan-favorite big man.

Gafford getting injured against Golden State was definitely a harsh blow, given that he's been in and out of the lineup all year, but also because he has been highly effective in his minutes over the last few weeks.

He has been excellent lately, scoring 20 or more points in four of the last six games, giving the Mavericks even more of a reason to shut him down. They shouldn't risk him suffering another ankle injury or further injuring his shoulder, and their place in the standings would justify a conservative approach with him for the remainder of the season.

After last night's loss to the Warriors, the Mavericks have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. This has been a reality that the team has accepted for weeks now, but now that they have no possible way to get into the postseason, resting players more often will be acceptable — and probably more likely.

Dallas has already begun to do this with Klay Thompson, but more players could quickly join this list as the season comes to a close next month.

Mavericks need to take their time with Gafford's return

It remains unknown how severe Gafford's shoulder injury actually is, but if the Mavericks have learned anything over the last two seasons, it's that allowing a player to fully recover from an injury is extremely important. Gafford reaggravated his ankle several times this season, and all of this could've been prevented if he had taken more time off at the beginning of the season.

Gafford only missed the first five games of the regular season before making his return, and this may be a major reason that his availability has been a major question mark. He has not been the reliable player that fans are used to seeing, and with a crucial offseason ahead, Dallas shouldn't risk him suffering another shoulder or ankle injury.

Dallas' future depends on Gafford not getting injured again

Gafford's three-year extension kicks in next season, and the Mavericks don't need him to be dealing with another injury before the offseason begins. He has been in trade rumors for the last two seasons, and with Dallas needing to rebalance their roster, a Gafford trade may be on the horizon this summer.

The last thing that a rival team would want to see is Gafford getting hurt again, and quitting while they're ahead may be the best next move here.

He is playing his best basketball of the season at the perfect time, as his trade value now should be much higher than it was at the trade deadline, and the Mavericks are in a good spot here. They have the perfect excuse to rest Gafford for the remainder of the year, regardless of whether his shoulder injury is super serious or not, as long-term availability and trade value are far more important than playing in the final 10 games of a lost season.