Daniel Gafford is the recent recipient of a three-year, $54 million contract extension, which kicks in for the 2026-27 season and keeps him paid through 2028-29. He’s unfortunately also the even more recent recipient of an ankle injury, which he suffered on the first day of Dallas Mavericks training camp on Sept. 30 in Vancouver, BC.

Gafford’s timetable for return initially put into question his availability for the team’s first game on Oct. 22 against the San Antonio Spurs, so it shouldn’t affect the team’s rotations long term. If Gafford misses one or two games on the front end of the regular season, Dereck Lively II should be able to absorb most of the additional minutes and the flexibility afforded by the glut of big men on this roster should be able to handle the rest.

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