The Dallas Mavericks wasted no time in showcasing the impact of their recent trades. Just two days after center Daniel Gafford and forward P.J. Washington Jr. joined the team, they made their presence felt off the bench in a commanding 146-111 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd couldn't help but shower praise on the two newcomers during the postgame press conference. 'They were great, they were great,' Kidd exclaimed. 'Offensively, defensively, they didn't seem nervous. They were really good. That first quarter, I think we set a franchise record for 47 points, and let everyone know that everybody is comfortable and excited about having those two as a part of the team. I thought it was a great team win from start to finish.'
Gafford, who checked in with just over five minutes left in the first quarter, wasted no time making his presence known. Assisted by Luka Doncic, he slammed down an alley-oop dunk to score his first points for the Mavericks. He continued to dominate, finishing the game with an impressive stat line of 19 points, nine rebounds, and a block in just 17 minutes of play. Gafford's physicality and determination were evident throughout the game as he fought for loose balls and displayed his prowess at the free-throw line.
Reflecting on his performance, Gafford expressed his excitement and gratitude. 'It felt amazing,' he gushed. 'It felt like I got drafted by this team, in all honesty. It felt good stepping on the court and hearing the crowd and the cheers really fueled the energy I had throughout the game.'
Washington, a local talent who hails from Frisco, Texas, also made an immediate impact after checking in alongside Gafford. He too received an alley-oop pass from Doncic, resulting in a thunderous dunk for his first bucket as a Maverick. Washington's contributions were equally impressive, tallying 14 points, five rebounds, an assist, and a steal in 24 minutes of play. He credited his teammates, particularly Doncic and Kyrie Irving, for making the game easier for him.
The Mavericks' president of basketball operations and GM, Nico Harrison, highlighted that these trades addressed the team's specific needs. 'We wanted to get bigger, we wanted to get more depth, and we wanted to get some more scoring in the frontcourt,' Harrison explained during the press conference introducing Gafford and Washington. 'And these gentlemen, they represent all of that.'
Harrison played a crucial role in orchestrating the trades that brought Gafford and Washington to Dallas. In the deal with the Washington Wizards, the Mavericks sent veteran center Richaun Holmes and draft compensation to acquire Gafford. As for Washington, the Mavericks traded forward Grant Williams, guard Seth Curry, and a lightly protected 2027 first-round draft pick to the Charlotte Hornets. To complete the Gafford deal, the Mavericks traded the rights to a 2028 first-round pick with the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick.
Kidd expressed his enthusiasm about incorporating Gafford and Washington into the team's lineup. 'I think it gives us an opportunity to look at different combinations,' Kidd shared. 'I thought Gafford was great on both ends, especially on the defensive glass. I thought he did that for us this afternoon at a very, very high level. We're going to need that. And P.J., I thought he just let the game come to him, and that's what we need.'
The Mavericks' convincing victory over the Thunder provided a glimpse of what Gafford and Washington can bring to the team. Their immediate impact, combined with the excitement and chemistry evident on the court, bodes well for the Mavericks as they aim to make a strong push in the remainder of the season.
