Center Daniel Gafford, a key piece of the formidable frontcourt for the Dallas Mavericks, will sign a three-year contract extension worth close to $60 million, ESPN reported on Monday.
In 2025-26, the 26-year-old Gafford is set to earn $14.4 million 鈥 per Spotrac 鈥 in the final year of a three-year, $40.2 million contract extension he signed in 2021 with the Washington Wizards.
According to ESPN, Gafford鈥檚 agents 鈥 Mike George and Shy Saee of Klutch Sports 鈥 worked with Dallas officials on the new deal, which runs through the 2028-29 season.
Gafford, who joined the Mavericks in a trade with the Wizards in February 2024 and helped Dallas reach the NBA Finals that spring, will again team up with Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II in the frontcourt. That trio is expected to be joined by Duke star Cooper Flagg with Dallas holding the No. 1 pick in Wednesday鈥檚 NBA Draft.
Daniel Gafford has made a significant impact since joining the Dallas Mavericks and immediately became a key component of the Mavericks鈥 frontcourt, offering elite rim protection, athleticism, and efficient scoring.
In the 2024鈥25 season, Gafford continued to deliver strong performances. Through 56 games, he averaged 11.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while maintaining roughly 75% shooting from the floor.
However, Gafford鈥檚 momentum was interrupted in February 2025 when he suffered a Grade 3 MCL sprain, sidelining him for at least six weeks. The injury came at a challenging time for Dallas, as they were already managing other frontcourt absences.
A second-round pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 2019 draft, Gafford is an impressive finisher, boasting the highest career field goal percentage (71 percent) in the NBA since he entered the league. In 2023-24, he led the NBA in field goal percentage at 72.5 percent.
In six seasons with the Bulls (2019-21), Wizards (2021-24) and Mavericks, Gafford has averaged 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game over 378 games (215 starts).
(with agency inputs)