Latest news with #Gafford
Miami Herald
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Report: Mavs C Daniel Gafford to sign 3-year, $60M extension
Center Daniel Gafford, a key piece of the formidable frontcourt for the Dallas Mavericks, will sign a three-year contract extension worth close to $60 million, ESPN reported on Monday. Other media outlets reported that Gafford's deal will be worth $54 million. In 2025-26, the 26-year-old Gafford is set to earn $14.4 million -- per Spotrac -- in the final year of a three-year, $40.2 million contract extension he signed in 2021 with the Washington Wizards. According to ESPN, Gafford's agents -- Mike George and Shy Saee of Klutch Sports -- worked with Dallas officials on the new deal, which runs through the 2028-29 season. Gafford, who joined the Mavericks in a trade with the Wizards in February 2024 and helped Dallas reach the NBA Finals that spring, will again team up with Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II in the frontcourt. That trio is expected to be joined by Duke star Cooper Flagg with Dallas holding the No. 1 pick in Wednesday's NBA Draft. A second-round pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 2019 draft, Gafford is an impressive finisher, boasting the highest career field goal percentage (71 percent) in the NBA since he entered the league. In 2023-24, he led the NBA in field goal percentage at 72.5 percent. In six seasons with the Bulls (2019-21), Wizards (2021-24) and Mavericks, Gafford has averaged 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game over 378 games (215 starts). Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
NBA players who are the biggest anime fans including Daniel Gafford, Thomas Bryant, and others
Anime, a form of Japanese animation, is extremely popular across the globe and has struck a chord with not only American youth and adults as fans, but also some of the biggest stars in the industry. NBA players, being one-dimensional athletes, come from diverse backgrounds and have unique interests. A growing number of players have openly started to express their fascination with anime. Several players have emerged, showing off their passion for anime while showcasing their favorite shows and/or characters. There is anime with many genres, from the more action-oriented stories to engaging and multi-layered storylines for the thinkers among us. Let's take a look at some of the NBA players who have professed being avid anime fans. 7 anime players who are hardcore anime fans 1. Daniel Gafford - Fan of Dragon Ball Z Daniel Gafford wears his anime fandom proudly. He has immortalized his passion for Dragon Ball Z by getting tattoos of three of the series' most iconic characters—Vegeta, Goku, and Gohan— on his left knee. These characters are nostalgic heroes from his childhood and symbolize the traits he admires and aspires to follow—resilience, growth, and unbreakable spirit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¿Quieres un segundo ingreso? Prueba Banco de Chile CFD (Inicia hoy) TradeLG Undo Gafford's choice to showcase his anime loyalty in such a visible and meaningful way reflects just how deeply anime—especially Dragon Ball Z—has influenced his mindset both on and off the court. According to reports, despite his father's objections during childhood, Gafford would sneak off to continue watching anime, proving his passion ran deep even at a young age. 2. Cole Anthony - Fan of Attack on Titan Cole Anthony has been passionate about anime since he was in fifth grade, making it a significant part of his childhood and personal growth. Among the many series that have captured his attention over the years, Attack on Titan stands out as one that left a particularly strong and lasting impression on him. Anthony finds Attack on Titan incredibly captivating. The survival, sacrifice, and secret and revealing elements of the story have profoundly touched Anthony. The unexpected plot twists and new characters entertainingly affect him while pushing the boundaries of story-friendly storytelling. 3. Joel Embiid - Fan of Dragon Ball Z Joel Embiid turns to anime as part of his mental preparation, especially during high-pressure games. The Dragon Ball Z series is his go-to for channeling energy and motivation. It is a globally beloved anime known for its epic battles, inspiring characters, and themes of perseverance and self-improvement. He was even spotted watching the anime before a major playoff game against the Boston Celtics. When Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama passed away in March 2024, Embiid expressed his sorrow. Anime isn't just entertainment for Embiid—it's a source of emotional and motivational power 4. Jaylen Brown - Fan of Demon Slayer, Death Note, and more Jaylen Brown appreciates anime for the storytelling and creative aspects. The Boston Celtics star loves some of the big series like Demon Slayer, Death Note, Neo Yokio, and Seven Deadly Sins, too. Brown also watched Baki with former teammate Tacko Fall, and they connected over their mutual love for anime. He loves watching popular series like Demon Slayer for the emotional depth and graphics, Death Note for its psychological intrigue, Neo Yokio for its individuality, and Seven Deadly Sins for its epic fantasy adventure. Brown is related to former teammate Tacko Fall over Baki, an action-oriented martial arts anime. 5. Zion Williamson - Fan of Naruto Zion Williamson finds profound personal inspiration in anime, particularly from the legendary series Naruto. Like Naruto, Zion relates to themes of perseverance, overcoming adversity, and staying true to oneself despite doubt from others. The story of Naruto, filled with relentless training, strong friendships, and the pursuit of greatness, resonates deeply with Zion's mindset both on and off the court. This connection to Naruto's narrative fuels his drive to keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges he faces. He collaborated with Nike to create a unique line of ninja-themed Air Jordan sneakers, blending his love for anime culture with his basketball career. 6. Thomas Bryant Thomas Bryant, openly and proudly vocal about his affection for the genre, has often expressed that his knowledge of anime runs incredibly deep. His extensive familiarity with anime series and characters illustrates how anime has become an integral part of his interests and lifestyle. His enthusiasm showcases the growing influence of anime culture within professional basketball circles. 7. Isaac Bonga - Dragon Ball Z Isaac Bonga has often expressed his passion for anime, particularly for Dragon Ball Z. Dragon Ball Z is one of the most iconic and influential anime series worldwide, known for its intense battles, memorable characters, and themes of courage, friendship, and relentless self-improvement. The show's protagonist, Goku, embodies the spirit of never giving up, inspiring fans like Bonga to push their limits both on and off the court. Also read | 10 Hollywood celebrities who love anime from Dragon Ball to Naruto including John Cena, Ariana Grande and more
NBC Sports
24-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Mavericks reportedly reach three year, $54.7 million extension with Daniel Gafford
Daniel Gafford has agreed to an extension with the Dallas Mavericks — but he still could be traded this summer. ESPN's Shams Charania broke the news that 'Gafford intends to sign a three-year contract extension worth nearly $60 million.' The reality is that Gafford's maximum extension off his current deal is $54.7 million, which is likely what this is for (with some very generous rounding up, you can get to 'near $60 million'). This is three years added to the $14.4 million already on the final year of his existing contract, and the deal will now run through the summer of 2029. There is no option on the final year of the deal, it's a straight three years, reports Dallas-based writer Grant Afseth. That's a lot of money for a backup center, but Gafford is not an average backup. Last season he averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game and started 31 games for the Mavericks. He is a solid defender and scorer at the rim, but he does not space the floor — 69% of his shot attempts last season were in the restricted area, and he hasn't attempted a 3-pointer for three seasons. Shooting that much at the rim has its advantages, Gafford shot 70.2% from the field last season. After the NBA Draft, Dallas will have a packed frontcourt with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, Gafford and now Cooper Flagg. Gafford's name has come up as a possible trade target for teams needing a center, including the Los Angeles Lakers, where Gafford could pair with his old running partner Luka Doncic. This extension, once signed (after July 6), would not preclude him from being traded. However, the Mavericks are going to be seeking a steep price to send Gafford to Los Angeles or anywhere else.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mavericks reportedly reach 3-year, $54 million deal with center Daniel Gafford
The Dallas Mavericks are locking down Daniel Gafford. Gafford and the Mavericks intend to sign a three-year, $54 million contract extension in the coming days, according to multiple reports. The deal will keep Gafford in Dallas through the 2028-29 campaign. Advertisement Gafford is coming off a career season in Dallas, where he averaged 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game. He shot 70.2% from the field, too. Last season was Gafford's first full one with the Mavericks, who struck a deal for him with the Washington Wizards ahead of the deadline in 2024. Gafford, who will turn 27 this fall, is entering the final year of a three-year, $40 million deal he first signed with the Wizards. He's set to make about $14.4 million next season. Though Gafford isn't the Mavericks' marquee center, he's been a very solid piece for the team's frontcourt — which has since been bolstered by the additions of Dereck Lively and Anthony Davis, who landed in Dallas as part of the stunning deal that sent former star Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks also have the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft this week, where they're expected to select former Duke star Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks went 39-43 last season, and ended up missing the playoffs after struggling significantly following the Dončić trade. But with their new frontcourt solidified, Flagg coming in and star Kyrie Irving expected to make it back on the court at some point next season after his ACL injury, the Mavericks are still in a good position in the Western Conference. From there the team was just a few months ago in the wake of the trade that had fans gunning for general manager Nico Harrison's job, that's a pretty remarkable turnaround.
USA Today
07-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Beat writer on what the Lakers may have to give up in order to trade for Daniel Gafford
Beat writer on what the Lakers may have to give up in order to trade for Daniel Gafford There are plenty of mock trades and trades rumors floating around these days that involve the Los Angeles Lakers. Many of them have something to do with the team's dire need for a starting-level center, and one such player they have been linked to is Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks. In some ways, Gafford seems like an ideal fit for the Lakers. He has plenty of athleticism, he's young (26 years of age), he can protect the rim, he's a good rebounder and he's a lob threat. He also played for a little while with Luka Doncic, which means that if he were to come to the Lakers, he would already have some built-in chemistry with the Slovenian. However, after Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison sent Doncic to the Lakers for a low price, the optics of him trading Gafford to the Lakers could be terrible. Jovan Buha, a Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, said on a recent episode of "Buha's Block" that he feels L.A. may have to overpay for Gafford, and he took a guess on what it may take to land the University of Arkansas product (at 9:20). "They probably have to overpay," Buha said. "It would probably have to be something like … Gabe [Vincent], Dalton [Knecht] and a first (round pick) for Gafford. And that's a lot." Vincent, Knecht and a future first-round pick is a very similar package compared to the one the Purple and Gold offered for the Charlotte Hornets' Mark Williams before that trade was rescinded. The different was that they offered forward Cam Reddish, a no-impact player who fell out of their rotation, instead of Vincent, and they also offered a 2030 first-round pick swap. However, the package Buha suggested may be worth it for Gafford. He averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 21.5 minutes a game while shooting 70.2% from the field this season, and if he could play a little more, say 25-28 minutes a game, he could be the answer to the Lakers' center woes. While Knecht, who had flashes of solid play this year, has potential, it is hard to get a read on what his ceiling is, although his floor may be that of a borderline rotation player. Giving him up may not be too much of a gamble if Los Angeles gets the center it needs in return.
