Mavs' Daniel Gafford Speaks on Seamless Trade Transition: 'It's Like I'm Back Home'
Before the this season's trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks pulled off a deal with the Washington Wizards to land fifth-year big man Daniel Gafford. For a team that desperately needed high-quality frontcourt depth, Gafford has more than filled that need, as he's averaged 15.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 61.3 percent from the field through three games.
On Monday, Gafford sat down with our Mavs Step Back Podcast to talk about his initial thoughts after being traded to Dallas, as well as how he's been able to have such a seamless transition.
"My main thought was that I'm gonna be back close to home," Gafford told DallasBasketball.com. "That was the first initial thought I was thinking of... But when I got to the team, just playing with Luka [Doncic], great player at his position, and playing with Kyrie Irving, one of my favorite point guards when I was growing up. Really loved his shoes, of course. Everybody loved his shoes, but once the Kyrie 1s came out, it was like my favorite pair.
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"In all honesty, it's great. Just being around two great point guards, being around a great team with the mindset of just coming out and dominating every night. That's just something that I picked up when I came in, seeing the different personalities, the different vibes and the difference in atmosphere when I came to this team. It was great. Just coming in, it's like I already fit the mold."
Gafford, who was born and raised in El Dorado, Arkansas, is now about four hours from home. Being traded midseason can be hectic for NBA players, but for Gafford, his simple lifestyle, paired with being closer to loved ones, has helped make things easier for him.
"With me, I'm an easy guy. I don't really do too much when it comes to day-to-day life," Gafford said. "When it comes to transitioning, I kinda took it easy going from high school to college, college to the NBA. Those transitions were good, and now, just where I'm at mentally, having that metal focus on trying to be better in everything, holding myself accountable, staying consistent with my work, and just coming in with the mindset of getting betting on a day-to-day basis – that kinda helps me transition with everything, because not only does it help me on the court, but it helps me with life too.
"And now that close to all of my family, and having them come in and just support, bringing that energy from down south, El Dorado, Arkansas – it's dope, because most of my family, they stay here on my dad's side. My hometown is like four hours away, so it's an easy drive up, getting people taken care of, seeing familiar faces in the arena, really just having a good time. So the transition was great. It's like I'm back home already even though I'm not at home."
With the electric energy Gafford brings to the court when he plays, he's found himself a home away from home at American Airlines Center. Mavs fans were just getting used to having one high-quality big man on the team in rookie center Dereck Lively II, and now they'll have the luxury of watching Gafford for the foreseeable future as well.
After a much-needed All-Star break, the Mavs, who are riding a six-game win streak, return to action on Thursday, as they take on the Phoenix Suns in a game that will determine the regular-season tiebreaker. Gafford is ready for the challenge that awaits his team.
“Just go in locked in,” Gafford said of his mindset heading into the important matchup against the Suns. "This is the last half of the season, so we're really playing for something at this point. So just going in locked in."
