Upgrading the frontcourt could turn Utah into a legitimate Western Conference threat by swapping Jusuf Nurkić for Daniel Gafford’s elite rim protection and high-efficiency vertical spacing.
The Utah Jazz have a quality starting lineup and significant depth off the bench at nearly every position. But the one place they could certainly use an upgrade is at starting center.
And that’s not to say Utah needs to go out and get one of the top 15 or 20 centers in the NBA. Financially, that may not even make sense with all of the other large contracts on this roster.
But the Jazz could upgrade from presumed starter Jusuf Nurkić and find someone who’s just marginally better on both ends of the floor.
One name that would fit that bill is Daniel Gafford, currently a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
Gafford is a phenomenal lob threat, strong finisher around the rim and one of the most efficient scorers in the entire NBA. He shot 65.5% from the floor last season while averaging 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in only 21.7 minutes per game.
He’s also a quality shot blocker and physical interior presence who would fit well in Utah’s system. Gafford doesn’t need touches to be effective offensively. He runs the floor, sets screens, rolls hard to the rim and creates vertical spacing.
That’s exactly the type of center who could complement the rest of Utah’s starting lineup.
And perhaps most importantly, Gafford has been available.
Dallas has explored his trade market multiple times over the past year and reportedly wanted a first-round pick in previous discussions. That price has seemingly prevented a deal from materializing to this point.
Utah shouldn’t be willing to give up significant draft capital for Gafford. He’s a good player, but he’s not the type of center the Jazz should sacrifice a premium first-round pick to acquire.
But if the asking price eventually drops to some combination of second-round picks and a young player, that’s when Utah should become much more interested. Gafford isn’t a tremendous upgrade over Nurkić. That’s really the point.
The Jazz don’t need a significant upgrade at center to noticeably improve this roster. They simply need someone who can provide more athleticism, rim protection and vertical spacing while still filling the traditional responsibilities Utah needs from the position.
Acquiring Gafford would also push Nurkić to the bench, improving the center rotation as a whole. Rather than relying on him to handle starter minutes every night, Utah could use Nurkić against second units and in matchups where his size, passing and physicality are more advantageous.
A move like this wouldn’t suddenly make the Jazz a championship contender. But it could make them a more complete team.
Utah already has enough talent throughout the rest of the roster to be competitive in the Western Conference. If this group proves early in the season that it’s capable of legitimately pushing for the playoffs, center is the obvious position to monitor ahead of the trade deadline.
Whether it’s Gafford or another center who becomes available, that’s where the Jazz should be looking for their next upgrade.
And if Dallas’ asking price on Gafford becomes reasonable, Utah should absolutely be involved.
