Mavericks' fan-favorite big man has a simple fix to end his injury spiral

Daniel Gafford played 55 games this season, battling multiple injuries, but he may hold the key to staying on the court long term, and that's something that Dallas Mavericks fans should be excited about.

Gafford has been open in the past about bulking up, but a big guy like him may need to take a different route ahead of next season. He needs to slim down to get more mobile. A center in the NBA is already at risk of major injury due to their size, but Gafford may need to learn his body and go from there.

There's nothing wrong with a player bulking up and putting on muscle, but if their body doesn't react well to it, something needs to change. Gafford used to be a lock as one of the best defensive big men in the NBA, but now, his injuries are hard to ignore. If the Mavs are going to use him, then it's simple. They're going to need him, especially with Dereck Lively II's injury history.

Why Daniel Gafford's added weight may be behind his lower-body injuries

First, Gafford injured his ankle before the season even began. Nobody wanted to believe it, but it ended up defining his season. He looked gimpy on the court at times, and honestly, fans probably would've understood if he cut his season short in January, but he kept going. All until a shoulder injury continued to bother him.

Of course, injuries happen in all different ways. But Gafford looked exhausted all season, and it's clear the ankle injury was always a factor, no matter how much he tried to hide it. Unfortunately, it became the theme to watch Gafford walk off the floor banged up.

Gafford was one of the reasons the Mavericks gained momentum in the 2023-24 season. The Mavs, with only rookie Lively II, Dwight Powell, and Maxi Kleber to rely on, needed a big man badly. Gafford, with his energy and toughness, was an instant hit. He even got close to breaking Wilt Chamberlain's record by hitting 33 consecutive field goals without a miss, just two makes shy of one of the greatest.

Gafford was an automatic bucket inside, and the Mavs need to go back to that, especially since Lively II's career is in real jeopardy if he doesn't find a way to make it on the court for the long haul.

Gafford needs to remain on the court if Lively II continues to get injured

Lively II's rookie season proved to fans why he is the future of the Mavs, but since then, he's only played 43 games the past two seasons.

With Cooper Flagg ready to take one of the most dramatic sophomore rises in history, Lively II is needed for pick-and-rolls and interior defense. The Mavs haven't gotten that in a long time, and it's because he's not out there.

Jason Kidd offered a bland explanation about when the former Duke big man would be back. He may not be ready by training camp, and that's not the news that fans, or even Flagg, wanted to hear.

Knowing Lively II's history, it looks like Gafford may have to be the one to be Flagg's new running mate, that is, if he gets healthy, too.

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