Daniel Gafford is the key for the Washington Wizards

Perhaps one of the most underrated moves at the trade deadline was the Washington Wizards involving themselves in a three-team deal with the Celtics and Bulls and acquiring center Daniel Gafford from Chicago. 

The 22-year-old center joined a crowded frontcourt with Alex Len and Robin Lopez when he arrived in Washington, yet he immediately carved out a role with this team off-the-bench due to his athleticism and physicalness. 

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Now, Gafford is one of the first players off-the-bench for the Wizards and moving forward, he is going to have to continue to step up into a much larger role. Washington now has to find a way to deal with Joel Embiid and Dwight Howard in the paint in their first-round matchup, which is why Gafford could see his role expand. 

Against the Pacers, Daniel Gafford was perhaps the difference-maker for Washington to be able to pull away in the second-half, as he finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Not only was he a monster on the glass, but Gafford’s ability to run in transition allowed the Wizards to push the tempo and lob the ball up to him for some easy alley-oop opportunities. 

This will be critical in their series against the Philadelphia 76ers, especially given all of the weapons the Sixers have. Washington has been the best team in the league all season long pushing the pace and getting to the rim quickly in transition, which is why Daniel Gafford could see a significant increase in minutes in this upcoming series.