DALLAS, TEXAS — The Dallas Mavericks are keeping their interior anchor in place.
The team has signed center Daniel Gafford to a multi-year contract extension, solidifying a key piece of their core. As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not made public.
Gafford, 26, enters his third season with Dallas and eighth overall in the league. The 6-foot-10 big man turned in a career year in 2024-25, averaging 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks while shooting an eye-popping 70.2% from the floor—second in the league behind Jarrett Allen among high-volume shooters.
Defensively, Gafford made history with a franchise-record 23 straight games with at least one block, and he added consistency on offense with a career-best 16-game stretch in double figures. His standout moment came against Charlotte, when he dropped 31 points, grabbed 15 boards, and swatted seven shots—joining legends Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon in rare statistical territory.
Since arriving at the 2023-24 trade deadline, Gafford has been a game-changer. He helped power Dallas to a 22-9 finish and made NBA history by hitting 33 straight field goals in March—second only to Wilt Chamberlain.
With Gafford’s rim protection, efficiency, and growing chemistry in the Mavs’ system, Dallas is banking on his continued rise as they chase another deep postseason run.
