The Dallas Mavericks begin official preparations for the 2026-27 NBA season this week with media day and the start of training camp. Their center position, featuring Daniel Gafford and the recovering Dereck Lively II, offers significant depth as the team looks to improve on a recent stretch where they lost four of their last five games, including a 149-128 win over the Chicago Bulls on April 13, 2026.
Not much changed for Dallas at the five spot this offseason. The team traded Anthony Davis before last season's deadline and saw Marvin Bagley III, acquired in that deal, leave in free agency to back up Nikola Jokic in Denver. Veteran Dwight Powell re-signed on a training camp deal, and insider Marc Stein reported the Mavs could convert that to a standard contract if they open a roster spot. The core group now consists of Lively, Gafford, and Powell.
Lively's health is the big question. He's still working back from foot surgery last December but has added muscle mass to help prevent future issues. Until he's fully cleared, Daniel Gafford is the projected starter. Gafford brings experience and is the team's next-best rim protector and lob threat after Lively.
The Mavericks' final games of the 2025-26 season showed some defensive struggles. After a 130-120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 15, 2026, they dropped four straight. They fell 129-111 to the New Orleans Pelicans, lost a high-scoring 137-131 affair to the Golden State Warriors, were beaten 123-99 by the Milwaukee Bucks, and dropped a close one 112-107 to the Phoenix Suns. That 1W-4L run ended with the 149-128 victory over Chicago.
Protecting the paint and improving defensive consistency will be a focus for this group. Gafford and Lively are central to that plan.
Lively is taking a long-term view of his recovery. The second-year big man is determined to ensure this foot surgery is his last major setback. His added size and strength should help him absorb more contact inside and improve his durability. His timeline for a full return to practice remains unclear, but the organization is being predictably cautious with a player they see as a cornerstone.
When healthy, Lively's ability to defend in space, block shots, and finish at the rim transforms Dallas's defense. His partnership with Luka Dončić in the pick-and-roll is already one of the league's most efficient plays.
Daniel Gafford will shoulder the starting load. He averaged nearly a block and eight rebounds per game after his arrival last season and provides a reliable, athletic presence. Dwight Powell offers a known quantity off the bench. His energy, screening, and chemistry with the core guards provide a stable, if limited, floor.
The lack of a major offseason addition here shows the front office's confidence in the Gafford-Lively duo. Training camp will be about building rhythm and defining roles, especially if Powell secures that standard contract. The early season [schedule](/fixtures) will test this group's readiness immediately.
