The 6'10'' forward would provide the Toronto Raptors with additional size alongside center Jakob Poeltl.
With the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season still over two months away, the Toronto Raptors have an opportunity to bolster their rebounding and rim protection while picking up an excellent insurance option for Jakob Poeltl.
As the Dallas Mavericks come off a 26-56 season that saw them finish 12th overall in the Western Conference, they might look to ship one of their core pieces in Daniel Gafford to a contender in exchange for more assets to accelerate their rebuild.
If the Mavericks were to go ahead in listing the 6'10'' forward on the trade block, picking up the phone should be the next move for Raptors general manager Bobby Webster.
While Gafford only averaged 9.5 points per game just this past season, he compensated for it with his efficient 65.5% field goal shooting, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 assists per game.
Additionally, he is still relatively young at 27 years old with more room for improvement and less mileage on his body in comparison to the 7-foot Poeltl who will turn 31 five days before the start of the season.
Gafford also had his best season with Dallas from 2024-25, averaging 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. He also shot 70.2% from the field while converting on 68.9% of attempts at the free throw line.
The Raptors would lay the groundwork for added size on their roster, signing former Oregon center Nate Bittle to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Sportsnet's Blake Murphy.
While Bittle went on to average 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game during Summer League play, whether he can replicate those figures during playing time on a real NBA court is to be determined.
Toronto also brought on Jamarion Sharp who averaged 7.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. However, his time with the Raptors was short-lived as his performance landed him a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Clippers last week.
As a result, Gafford would be a fantastic NBA-ready option for the Raptors that is also under team control through the 2028-29 season after signing a three-year extension with the Mavericks.
Toronto or any other team who trades for Gafford won't just be getting a one-year rental. They would have a shot at keeping him for the long haul when it comes time to negotiate.
Finally, Gafford's play on the court has garnered praise from other players such as former Washington Wizards teammate Kristaps Porziņģis who now plays for the Golden State Warriors.
"Gaff is dangerous because he's so eff'in explosive," Porziņģis told David Aldridge of The Athletic. "If you're late, you're in trouble. And that's the thing with him. He can get up like few guys can in the league. And guarding that is dangerous."
