2025-26 Season
DANIEL GAFFORD
2025-26 Season
DANIEL GAFFORD
Gafford produces at an above average rate for a 22-minute workload.
Gafford produces at an above average rate for a 22-minute workload.
PBP Credit: Every play is analyzed from play-by-play data. Scorers get difficulty-adjusted credit, assisters get creation value based on the shot opportunity they created, and turnovers are classified by type. Shot difficulty is derived from 1M+ shots across 4 seasons. Full methodology
TEAM COMPARISON
of 17 teammates (10+ games, 10+ min)
Similar Players
Same position, closest production profile this season.
SKILL DNA
Percentile rank vs 235 Forwards with 10+ games
THE SEASON SO FAR
Daniel Gafford's early season was defined by a jarring identity crisis, morphing from an ultra-efficient starting anchor into a complete bench liability. When engaged early on, his vertical spacing ripped defenses apart. Look no further than 11/04 vs HOU, where he ruthlessly converted 7 of 9 shots for 14 points and yielded a towering +15.1 Impact score simply by dominating the restricted area. But his value often cratered even when his traditional box score looked perfectly acceptable. During his 11/15 vs LAC appearance, he tallied 10 points and 8 rebounds but posted a concerning -4.8 Impact score, bleeding value through hidden defensive mistakes and slow rotations. Demoted to a reserve role by late November, his on-court influence completely evaporated. Coming off the bench on 12/21 vs PHI, he failed to attempt a single field goal in 14 minutes, logging an abysmal -11.7 Impact score as he floated aimlessly around the paint.
Daniel Gafford’s midseason stretch was defined by a volatile but ultimately rewarding promotion to the starting lineup. The transition was hardly seamless. He bottomed out entirely on 01/09 vs UTA. Despite logging 25 minutes, Gafford failed to attempt a single field goal and finished with zero points, dragging his team down with an abysmal -19.0 impact score due to his complete offensive invisibility. Yet, when he aggressively hunted his spots around the basket, his value skyrocketed. He bullied his way to 16 points and 11 rebounds on 01/31 vs HOU, earning a massive +17.1 impact score by combining highly efficient finishing with relentless work on the glass. He followed that up with another physical double-double on 02/03 vs BOS, generating a +12.4 impact score through sheer rebounding effort and high-percentage looks.
Daniel Gafford's mid-season stretch was defined by a dramatic awakening from a sluggish passenger into a hyper-efficient interior monster. He began February looking completely lost, stumbling to an abysmal -11.5 Impact during the 02/10 vs PHX matchup while managing just four points. Something finally clicked a few weeks later. He went on an absolute tear of flawless finishing, highlighted by the 03/08 vs TOR demolition. Gafford posted a staggering +28.1 Impact in that game by converting a perfect 10-of-10 from the floor for 21 points and grabbing 11 boards, punishing Toronto with elite shot selection and overwhelming physical force. Even when his touch abandoned him, he learned how to tilt the game in his team's favor. During the 03/21 vs LAC contest, he scored a meager seven points on poor 3-of-8 shooting but still managed a +1.7 Impact because he relentlessly attacked the glass for 13 rebounds to keep offensive possessions alive.
IMPACT TIMELINE
Game-by-game performance vs average. Green = above average, red = below.
Boom-or-bust player. Gafford's impact swings wildly relative to his average — some nights dominant, others invisible. Scoring varies by ~6 points per game.
Reliable shooter — hits 45%+ from the field in 82% of games. You can count on efficient nights more often than not.
Defensive difference-maker. Gafford consistently forces tough shots and protects the rim — opponents shoot worse when he's guarding them.
Getting better as the season goes on. First-half impact: -0.7, second-half: +5.0. That's a significant jump — could be a role change, confidence, or development clicking.
Tends to go on runs. Longest hot streak: 11 games. Longest cold streak: 8 games.
MATCHUP HISTORY ⚠ Updated 46 days ago
Based on 56 games with tracking data. Shows who guarded this player on offense and who he guarded on defense, with their shooting stats in those matchups.
ON OFFENSE: WHO GUARDED HIM
His shooting stats against each primary defender this season
ON DEFENSE: WHO HE GUARDED
How opponents shot when he was the primary defender. Lower FG% = better defense.
SEASON STATS
GAME LOG
56 games played
