Report: Dallas Mavericks, Daniel Gafford agree to three-year, $60 million contract extension

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Daniel Gafford has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks. Gafford is now set to make “nearly” $60 million over the course of the deal. A big piece of what Dallas wants to do moving forward, Gafford is now locked in for the next few seasons.

“Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford intends to sign a three-year contract extension worth nearly $60 million, sources tell ESPN,” Charania said via X. “Mavericks officials and Gafford’s agents, Mike George and Shy Saee of Klutch Sports, negotiated the new deal through 2028-29.”

Gafford was a massive trade deadline acquisition for the Mavericks back during the 2023-2024 season via the Washington Wizards. He helped them turn around their defensive efforts and eventually go to the NBA Finals. Dallas paired him with rookie center Derrick Lively to create one of the NBA’s better frontcourts.

Marc Stein of The Stein Line then provided some more exact numbers on the deal. Gafford will find himself in the middle of the pack when it comes to centers around the league, coming in at $18 million per season.

“Daniel Gafford’s looming contract extension with the Mavericks is a three-year deal worth $54 million, league sources say,” Stein said via X.

During his time with the Mavs, Gafford is averaging 11.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Much better numbers compared to his time in Washington, largely in part to being surrounded by better talent. Although a major piece to Gafford’s initial success, Luka Doncic, is now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

General manager Nico Harrison is still putting together a roster he believes in capable of winning an NBA championship, though. Dallas’ quality frontcourt mentioned added Anthony Davis this past season via the Doncic trade. Kyrie Irving, who tore his ACL and will miss portions of next season, is still one of the league’s top stars when healthy.

Cooper Flagg will officially be a Mavericks player in a couple of days too. Dallas owns the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and will take the Duke star on Wednesday night.

“Gafford averaged a career-high 12.3 points last season and will team with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and Cooper Flagg in the Mavericks frontcourt,” Charania added via X. “Gafford ranked in the top-10 in field-goal defense as contesting defender in 2024-25 among players to contest 800 shots.”