Report: Daniel Gafford inks 3-year, $40.2 million extension with Wizards

Washington Wizards Forward-Center Daniel Gafford has signed a 3-year, $40.2 million contract extension, according to Stadium’s Shams Charania. The new deal will keep the 23-year-old under contract with the team through the 2025-26 season. Gafford’s extension won’t kick in right away. In fact, he will earn $1.78 million this season and $1.9 million the next year before it begins.

Gafford is entering his third NBA season and is off to a good start, averaging 10.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in 4 preseason games. In the Wizards’ final preseason game against the Knicks last Friday, he had a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 blocks.

The Wizards acquired Gafford 6 months ago in a three-team trade that sent Troy Brown Jr. to the Chicago Bulls and Moritz Wagner to the Boston Celtics. Last season in his 23 games with Washington, he averaged 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in his 17.7 minutes on the floor. His efficiency with the Wizards earlier this year (68.1%) and his in his career overall (69.1%) is impressive. He only started 1 game for Washington last season and has worked his way into the starting lineup.

To whom much is given much is expected so all eyes will be on Gafford opening night against the Toronto Raptors and beyond.