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Gafford's Center Job Gets More Interesting Overnight

A torn ACL in Atlanta and a stalled clearance in Dallas turn the center spot into camp's biggest question.

Not clearedCamp ClearanceESPN's Tim MacMahon, sources say
2026-10-09Return Estimatefoot, day-to-day
2026-10-21 at RocketsRegular Openerfirst game that counts
9.5 pts, 6.9 rebGafford Last Season55 games played
By the Mavericks Nightly Desk · Friday, September 25

Dereck Lively remains unable to practice with training camp opening, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon, while Daniel Gafford's name resurfaced in trade speculation after Atlanta center Henri Veesaar tore his ACL. Off the court, Dallas made it official: Michael Finley has a new role in a basketball operations shakeup the team announced itself.

Mavericks Nightly artwork
Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Center Spot Still Unsettled

Lively has not cleared to practice as camp opens, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported, and Hoops Rumors added he could miss the start of the season entirely. That leaves Daniel Gafford as Dallas' answer in the middle, a role he held for 55 games last season while averaging 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in 21.7 minutes. The Smoking Cuban's Noah Weber wrote that Henri Veesaar's torn ACL in Atlanta could reignite trade talks that would send Gafford to the Hawks, a report, not a transaction.

Finley Gets A New Job

The Mavericks announced their own basketball operations changes this week, and Hoops Rumors reported a new role for Michael Finley inside that shakeup. The move follows Willie Green's addition to Dusty May's bench on September 16; specific duties for either hire remain unstated.

Camp Turns Into Games

Dallas opens the preseason October 9 at home against Houston, travels to Houston again October 11, then hosts New Orleans October 14 and Atlanta October 16 before the regular season begins October 21 at Houston. The open question through all four preseason games: who starts at center while Lively's status stays unresolved.

Will Lively be ready for the Mavericks' season opener?

His estimated return is October 9, ahead of the October 21 opener at Houston, but ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported his camp clearance is still pending.

Could Daniel Gafford get traded to the Hawks?

The Smoking Cuban's Noah Weber reported that Henri Veesaar's torn ACL could reignite Mavericks-Hawks trade talks involving Gafford, a report, not a confirmed deal.

By the Mavericks Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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