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Daniel Gafford has been electric for the Dallas Mavericks since the Washington Wizards traded him at the 2024 NBA trade deadline. Gafford helped the Mavs to the NBA Finals, but he wants to extend his chemistry with star guard Luka Doncic.
Gafford inquired about being naturalized to play for Slovenia in the summer Olympics, but his efforts have received an eye-opening update.
After some exploratory talks, Daniel Gafford will not become a naturalized citizen member of Slovenia's national team for the 2024 Olympics, per Marc Stein. Gafford's addition to the roster could still happen in the future. However, the federation is expected to turn elsewhere for its summer campaign, Stein reports.
Luka Doncic will receive support from another Mavericks organization member though. Assistant coach Sean Sweeney will be a member of Slovenia's coaching staff for the summer. It will be interesting to see how the team fares in what should be one of the most exciting Olympic Games of the modern era.
Daniel Gafford and Luka Doncic are in a position to make history in the 2024 NBA Finals. They will face off against Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics for a chance to win the Mavs their second franchise championship. Of course, the road will not be easy.
In addition to Tatum, Boston boasts the services of former All-NBA guard Jaylen Brown and All-Defensive guards Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. In addition, the Celtics could get two-way force Kristaps Porzingis back from injury. Boston is one of the hardest teams in the league to match up with. Yet, the Mavericks have their own unstoppable weapons.
Mavericks look to ride momentum into NBA Finals
The star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving is lethal. Doncic is a perennial MVP candidate, and Irving is one of the best shot-creators in the league. Irving has taken Dallas to a new level in his second season. He has averaged 22.8 points, 5.2 assists, and shot a red-hot 42 percent on 3-pointers through 17 postseason games.
Irving and Doncic have the potential to each score 30 points or more on a given night, as evidenced throughout the 2024 NBA playoffs. However, they are not the only ones on a mission to win. Head coach Jason Kidd issued a fiery message before the team's Finals matchup against the Celtics.
“Happy to bring the Western Conference championship back to Dallas. But our mission isn't finished. Get ready Dallas! We're going to The #NBAFinals,” Kidd wrote on X.
Kidd has led the Mavs to the Western Conference Finals twice in his three years as the team's head coach, as noted by ClutchPoints' Joey Mistretta. Moreover, he was a player for Dallas during their first championship run in 2011. Kidd certainly has the experience to help Dallas win their second ring.
The Mavericks will need Daniel Gafford and the rest of its role players to step up big time if they want to upset the Celtics. Gafford's 9.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks will be vital to combatting the forces of Al Horford and Porzingis. Gafford's frontcourt running mate PJ Washington looks to continue his stout production as well.
All in all, it will be a hard-fought battle, but Dallas has what it takes to remain competitive and reach NBA glory.
