Lakers center goal-1, Gafford completes contract renewal with Mavericks

According to the NBA labor and capital agreement, starting today, free agents of NBA teams (including restricted free agents/full free agents/team options/player options) can negotiate new contracts with the team in advance.

So the Dallas Mavericks immediately renewed the contract with the team's center Gafford.

nba "King of Thief" Shams Charania revealed that the 26-year-old center, 2.08 meters tall, reached a three-year contract extension with the team, until the end of the 28-29 season. According to subsequent updates, the total value of this contract is 54 million.

Gafford was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 8th pick in the second round in 2019. The center with strong physical fitness and fierce playing style was sent to the Washington Wizards in a three-party deal two years later and gradually emerged here.

He was favored by the Mavericks in the 2023-24 season and joined the team in the mid-season, and soon became a pair of goalkeepers in the team's penalty area with Lefly. He averaged 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in 29 games, making him an important contributor to the team being able to reach the finals again.

In the past 24-25 season, he played in 57 games (31 starts) and contributed 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. After the Lakers got Doncic, it has been rumored that Gafford is their next important goal. This center forward who played the peak of his career around Doncic is the "inside booster" needed by the Lakers, who are currently weak inside, but now he and the team have completed the contract renewal ahead of schedule, and there will be a six-month freezing period. At least the Lakers will not be able to get him in this offseason.

The Mavericks have officially started their offseason operations. After renewing Goverd's contract, their most important task is to get a point guard with starting strength as soon as possible to make up for the outside vacancy after Irving's serious injury.