Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford Expressed Interest in Joining Luka Dončić on Slovenia NT
Daniel Gafford expressed interested in playing next to Luka Dončić on Slovenia’s national team after showing potential with the Dallas Mavericks.
DALLAS — Luka Dončić may have some familar help from the Dallas Mavericks when he competes with the Slovenian national team in the future.
Late in the Mavericks’ regular season, I heard rumblings about Slovenia being interested in using their one naturalized player spot on Daniel Gafford. It’s easy to see why. After being traded to Dallas, Gafford averaged 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 29 regular season games. He was a highly efficient complement playing with Dončić in pick-and-roll and as a general interior play finisher. Gafford proved to be a valuable defensive presence with his paint protection and rebounding.
With a vision of having Gafford play the same role he thrives in with the Mavericks, Slovenia’s basketball federation saw major potential as an option to recruit as a naturalized player ahead of the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament.
While Slovenia’s recruiting efforts did not result in Gafford’s participation, the team shifted to Josh Nebo. Coming off the Mavericks’ lengthy postseason run that ended in reaching the NBA Finals, there were only 15 days between Game 5 and the start of the tournament—making it understandable for Gafford to not participate. Regardless, Gafford conveyed his interest in potentially playing for the team in the future.
The president of the Basketball Federation of Slovenia, Matej Erjavec, confirmed the details in an interview with Andrej Miljković of Ekipa24, saying, “He was asked if he would play for the Slovenian national team and if he was really surprised at first, he very quickly reacted very positively and that he is honored, and flattered by the initiative and that he needs time to think,” Erjavec told Ekipa 24.
Slovenia’s recruiting efforts in Dallas involved Luka’s father, Saša, who serves as director of basketball operations, and were focused on the coaching staff. The federation ultimately landed the commitment of Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney to serve on the coaching staff. However, while the federation was in town, Saša was eager to also recruit Gafford, who was the first choice for the team’s naturalized player slot of both Saša and Slovenia’s head coach, Aleksander Sekulić.
“I can tell you that at the time, Gafford was absolutely the first choice of both Saša Dončić and coach Aleksandar Sekulić,” Erjavec said. “We were at the game in Dallas and after it we had a meeting with the leaders of Dallas, where we primarily talked about the coaching staff. Even they didn't know at the time that the Mavericks would go to the Finals, and we talked about Sean Sweeney being with our national team for the entire preparation. We agreed on everything…”
Erjavec went into detail about how Saša approached Gafford to gauge his interest: “After the meeting we went from the club premises across the street towards the hall, where, as you have seen several times, Saša has his car… Gafford passes us by perfectly… Saša was impressed by the meeting, full of energy, he immediately grabbed my hand and said: 'Let's go. He is there, we should tell him if he would play for Slovenia.' I tried to calm things down, saying that we would be there tomorrow and that we would announce each other and that there was no hurry, but Saša was determined and he insisted. Immediately after leaving the match and still a little sweaty, he was asked if he would play for the Slovenian national team.”
Gafford, who already orchestrated an offseason development plan with a focus to build on the success he was experiencing after being traded to the Mavericks, communicated his plans to Slovenia, prompting the federation to shift course.
“We stopped at the fact that he cannot this summer due to previously agreed obligations, which he wanted to respect and fulfill. However, he emphasized that he was interested in the matter, but for now we have not discussed where and what we are now,” Erjavec said. “In theory we also have Gafford's door open. When the time comes, those in charge will consider how and what, and make their decisions.”
The next opportunity for Dončić and Gafford to compete alongside each other while wearing Slovenian uniforms will be next summer at EuroBasket. Gafford’s current contract—a three-year deal worth $40.2 million—runs through the 2025-26 season, meaning it expires before the next FIBA World Cup in 2027.
For more Mavs, NBA, and WNBA coverage, follow Grant Afseth on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube for content throughout the 2024-25 season.
Additionally, check out Grant Afseth’s basketball coverage for EssentiallySports.com.