Daniel Gafford Finally Ready To Hit Threes For Dallas

Daniel Gafford is done with just dunking. The Dallas Mavericks center is finally ready to stretch the floor, a shift that changes everything for their offense. This isn't a small tweak; it is a major upgrade for a team that needs spacing to win.

Gafford has only taken one three-pointer in his entire NBA career. That single attempt happened during a game with the Washington Wizards back in the 2021-22 season. He remembers it as a desperate heave before the clock ran out. Now, he is expected to do it on purpose. On Sunday, Coach Dusty May informed reporters that Gafford will take rhythm threes provided he merits the privilege of continuing to do so.

Gafford admitted the change feels strange at first. "But, I mean, I'm looking forward to it. They're putting a lot of faith in me to be able to take those shots, so it's only right that I do the same for myself," he said. He knows the first few will likely miss. That is fine. The goal is to build the confidence to keep taking the next step.

His background makes this jump even more impressive. While at Arkansas, his role remained straightforward: setting screens, rolling toward the basket, catching lobs, and rebounding. "I did not. No. I took maybe a couple of jump shots in college, but that's pretty much it. I didn't shoot no threes at all," Gafford said. He spent most of his time dunking the ball. Now, he is growing as a player and learning to add a new weapon to his game.

The Mavericks signed him to a three-year, $54.4 million contract extension ahead of the 2026-27 season. That is a lot of money to bet on a player learning to shoot. But the team sees the value. If Gafford can hit even a few of these shots, the defense has to respect him at the top of the key. This opens up driving lanes for Cooper and Kyrie.

Max Christie noted that confidence is the biggest thing for Gafford's shot. The center is aware of the risk. "I mean, it's going to feel good, I would say. Hopefully it just doesn't go to my head and I start jacking up threes," Gafford said. He wants to be smart about it. The team just needs him to keep the faith and knock down the open looks when they come.