A look at why the Dallas Mavericks should avoid moving center Daniel Gafford before the upcoming NBA trade deadline.

Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks could be the backup center that the Philadelphia 76ers are looking for.

Dallas backup center Maxi Kleber broke his right foot during a 122-107 home loss to the Boston Celtics, adding to the Mavericks' lengthy list of unavailable players and leaving the team with one available center.

Gafford exited to the locker room after sustaining an apparent neck injury during the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Thunder, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports. Gafford stayed down on the court for an extended period,

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford recently joined ANTA Basketball, strengthening a growing partnership with his teammate Kyrie Irving, the brand’s Chief Creative Officer.

Individually, Irving’s numbers were better against the Celtics on Saturday, but for the Mavericks the result was all too familiar. They will see the Celtics again, in Boston, on Feb. 6, trade deadline day. Perhaps they will have Doncic back, or nearly back, by then.

The early tip-off led to a back-and-forth tilt between the two teams, but Dallas couldn’t overcome its shortcoming of depth and left with a 110-105

Gafford allows his opponents to shoot just 48.8% within six feet of the rim, which is the best mark of any player who has played at least 20 games and defends at least five such attempts per contest. Still, Dallas could end their time with the versatile big man.

Jayson Tatum scored 24 points, Derrick White added 23, including Boston’s first 11 of the third quarter, and the Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 122-107 on Saturday night in the first meeting between the teams since the NBA Finals.

The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics met in Dallas on Saturday for their first matchup since last season's NBA Finals. Dallas was missing many key pieces, including starters Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively II, while Boston was wrapping up a four-game road trip.

Mavs' Daniel Gafford joins Shaq, Hakeem With Historic Game Daniel Gafford made history with a stunning stat line on Monday.

Gafford posted 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 boards, three blocks, two assists and one steal across 33 minutes of action in Wednesday's 115-114 loss to the Timberwolves.