Exclusive: Daniel Gafford Discusses Potential of Playing for Slovenia, Bond with Luka Dončić, and Thoughts on FIBA Play
Luka Dončić will have the chance to compete at EuroBasket again after Slovenia secured a dramatic 83-82 comeback victory over Portugal. Could Daniel Gafford join him on the roster?
ATLANTA — While the NBA regular season is well underway, national teams are competing to qualify for FIBA tournaments held next summer. Luka Dončić, who takes pride in competing for his native Slovenia each opportunity he gets, will have a chance to do so again at EuroBasket after the national team’s dramatic 83-82 comeback victory over Portugal in Ljubljana.
Dončić was eager to watch Slovenia’s two matches against Portugal, recently telling DallasHoopsJournal.com, “I like [their outlook]. They play in Portugal and then at home against Portugal. It’s exciting to watch. I wish I could be part of it, but obviously, I can’t. It’s going to be fun to watch, and I think we have a great chance.”
With the desire to compete on a global stage during the NBA offseason increasing in popularity, Daniel Gafford, who is averaging a career-best 12.3 points, along with 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 21.1 minutes per game while shooting a league-best 72.0% from the floor, remains a name for the Dallas Mavericks to monitor for potential international competition. While he didn’t compete with USA Basketball at the Paris Olympics, other national teams hold one roster spot for a naturalized player—which Gafford could fill.
After it became evident how well Gafford connected with Dončić on the court, he was considered Slovenia’s top target ahead of the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Greece. However, with only 15 days between the end of Game 5 of the NBA Finals and the first tournament game, it was too short a window to commit. Instead, he executed a meticulous workout routine and spent time with his family. He feels that routine has paid off significantly for him.
“I focused on slowing the game down for myself, working on moves that teach patience, and being more aggressive offensively and defensively,” Gafford told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I also made sure to stay in the best shape possible.”
With Slovenia set to compete in EuroBasket next summer, assuming good health, could Gafford consider joining the team to compete?
Is Gafford Open to Playing for Slovenia?
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Given Slovenia’s qualification, DallasHoopsJournal.com asked Gafford if he’d be open to competing at EuroBasket as a member of Dončić’s national team, who were champions at the event in 2017. He mentioned that he considered competing with Slovenia last summer, but the timing of the opportunity matters to him. However, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility.
“It was something that was like consideration, but it’s pretty much a timing thing for me,” Gafford told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I like to spend the majority of my time with my family, so it’ll just depend, for sure.”
Gafford has played on numerous NBA rosters with teammates who have competed for their national teams. He has seen it serve as a “great benefit” to their careers since they can gain valuable live reps in the NBA offseason in high-stakes competition while continuing to work on their game while pursuing wins. Especially when former NBA MVPs like Giannis Antetokounmpo commit to playing for their national team, as he recently did in a conversation with Antonis Kalkavouras of Gazzetta, there is nothing better than going up against the best in the sport to sharpen skills. Other notable players, including Franz Wagner, tend to compete each cycle.
“It’s just something that I always see that works because they have just like a live person in front of them,” Gafford told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “So it teaches them the game a lot more and keeps them, I would say, in tune with the game a lot more as well.
Gafford’s Connection with Dončić
Since Gafford’s focus is clearly on helping the Mavericks compete for wins and an NBA title, it’s too early to ponder too much about wearing another uniform in late August and early September. If he were to play alongside Dončić in international competition, he would view it as a chance to further strengthen a good relationship with the superstar by learning more about his background.
“I think it’d be great. We already have a good relationship, but doing something like that could take it to the next level,” Gafford told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “It would give me a chance to see his background, learn about where he came from, and understand how he started his professional career. That would help us connect more.”
Regarding on-court chemistry, Gafford had a great connection with Dončić early after being traded to the Mavericks in February, whether in pick-and-roll, playing off him with well-timed cuts, or serving as a relief option in the dunker spot. Gafford believes the connection has significantly grown throughout a journey that includes an NBA Finals appearance and appreciates Dončić’s wisdom and talent on the floor.
“I feel like it’s grown a lot,” Gafford told DallasHoopsJournal.com. ”When we first started out, the chemistry was good, but I feel like it’s gotten better over time. I pick his brain a lot and he tells me just the spacing and areas that I need to be in when it comes to just sending pick-and-rolls and just how to get him downhill or so forth. So I’m just trying to figure out ways to, like I said, build that chemistry and be a good teammate at the end of the day.”
The Mavericks organization already had assistant coach Sean Sweeney participate as Slovenia’s coaching staff member to help Dončić’s squad qualify for the Olympics. While the team fell short of that goal, Gafford believes that experience has only helped the two carry over into the NBA regular season.
“From what I’ve seen since I got here, they already have a strong relationship,” Gafford told DallasHoopsJournal.com. I feel like it’s been solid for a while, and Sweeney being involved probably adds to it.”
Gafford’s Thoughts on FIBA Play
Competing for a national team means a lot to both American players and those from around the world. Gafford has been a teammate who has participated in plenty of international competitions during his career, comparing the honor to the pride many players feel when representing their hometowns in the NBA.
“I’d compare it to having your hometown support you,” Gafford told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Being able to go back, show support, and give hope to the city or country is huge.”
With the Olympics being held in Los Angeles in 2028, American players have a rare opportunity to compete on their home soil on the biggest stage. Gafford added that representing another country would be on his “bucket list,” but given it’s late November, he’s understandably focused on the NBA season.
“Representing a country is definitely something on my bucket list, but right now, I’m focused on the task at hand,” Gafford told DallasHoopsJournal.com.
Competing in FIBA differs from playing in the NBA partly because it involves different rules that allow for more aggressive defense and paint protection. Gafford believes a newcomer would need to adjust during their initial experience.
”It’s definitely a challenge to adapt to a different play style,” Gafford told DallasHoopsJournal.com
Gafford would likely benefit from the FIBA style as a physical paint finisher and shot blocker. Gafford admires the way Dončić dominates both FIBA and NBA competition. The 6-foot-10 center also added that someone must adjust to jump into that setting.
“For someone like Luka, I’m sure he adjusted early on,” Gafford explained to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Starting his professional career very early gave him a good grasp of both styles. I remember when he said it was easier to score here, which shows how he’s mastered the differences.”
As a paint presence on both ends, Gafford believes it would be fun to play without having to clear the lane to avoid a three-second violation in FIBA competition like he has to in the NBA.
“That would be dope,” Gafford told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “It’d take me back to high school days when you could just sit in the paint and wait for anything. I’d definitely be excited about that.”
Looking Ahead
The Mavericks wrapped up a three-game road trip going 2-1 despite playing without Dončić. The team is now 10-8 heading into Wednesday’s home matchup against the New York Knicks, with Gafford’s 10 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks against Atlanta being an essential factor, especially since Dereck Lively II was ruled out after halftime due to illness.
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