NBA

Zach LaVine or Daniel Gafford

Who Should I Start? - Week 1 • Start New
Zach LaVine

Zach LaVine

SG • Sacramento Kings SAC
Daniel Gafford

Daniel Gafford

C • Dallas Mavericks DAL
OR
EXPERT ANALYSIS

Owners starting LaVine over Gafford

 
 
 
 
START BOTH START BENCH BOTH BN

LaVine ... 46.15%

BOTH ... 7.69%

PROJECTION
FPTS: 27.2
MIN FG% FT% 3P% 3PM 3PA 2PM FTA FTM FGA FGM OREB DREB A/T DD TD PF REB AST BLK PTS STL TO FPTS
87.5 0.458 0.891 0.362 18.5 7 19.8 12.8 11.3 43.1 19.8 1 7.9 1.5 0.03 0 5.6 8.5 8 1 58 2.8 5.5 27.2
MIN FG% FT% 3P% 3PM 3PA 2PM FTA FTM FGA FGM OREB DREB A/T DD TD PF REB AST BLK PTS STL TO FPTS
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coming soon.
Outlook Zach LaVine

Zach LaVine 2026-27 Fantasy Outlook: Efficient Scoring Role in Sacramento

Now entering his 12th NBA season at age 31, Zach LaVine opted into his contract to remain a primary perimeter scorer for Sacramento. At media day, he emphasized staying healthy after appearing in just 39 games last season. Slated as the starting shooting guard alongside Domantas Sabonis and rookie Darius Acuff Jr., his role in the first unit is completely secure.

Our models project LaVine to average 31.4 minutes and 19.0 points per game across 69 appearances, anchored by 49.8% shooting from the field and 41.1% from beyond the arc. While Sabonis commands significant offensive touches, LaVine provides complementary secondary creation with 3.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds nightly.

Drafted around pick 103, LaVine's valuation discounts his previous injury history. His 93% roster rate highlights steady baseline trust, making him an appealing mid-round asset capable of outperforming expectations if he maintains our projected 69-game workload.


FantasySP AI Analysis Updated 1 day ago
Latest News Zach LaVine
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EXPERT ANALYSIS

Owners starting Gafford over LaVine

 
 
 
 
START BOTH START BENCH BOTH BN

Gafford ... 15.38%

BOTH ... 7.69%

PROJECTION
FPTS: 23.5
MIN FG% FT% 3P% 3PM 3PA 2PM FTA FTM FGA FGM OREB DREB A/T DD TD PF REB AST BLK PTS STL TO FPTS
64.5 0.678 0.65 0 0 0 12.8 9.5 6.3 18.7 12.7 8.2 12.3 1.2 0.64 0 7.8 20.5 3.5 4 31.5 2 3 23.5
MIN FG% FT% 3P% 3PM 3PA 2PM FTA FTM FGA FGM OREB DREB A/T DD TD PF REB AST BLK PTS STL TO FPTS
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coming soon.
Outlook Daniel Gafford

Daniel Gafford 2026-27 Fantasy Outlook: Elite Field-Goal Efficiency and Rim Protection in Dallas

Daniel Gafford enters his prime at age 28 serving as a vital frontcourt pillar for Dallas. While listed behind Dereck Lively II on the center depth chart, Lively’s recent foot surgery elevates Gafford’s rotational security to open the campaign. Fantasy managers have taken note, pushing Gafford’s roster rate up to 55%.

Our projections expect Gafford to log 19.6 minutes per game across 67 appearances, producing 9.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per contest. Operating primarily as a lob threat alongside Kyrie Irving, he provides exceptional efficiency, with our models projecting a stellar 69.7% mark from the field.

Drafted near an ADP of 133, Gafford represents an ideal late-round target for managers seeking defensive stats and elite percentages. Even if his ceiling remains tethered to a timeshare when Dallas is fully healthy, his per-minute floor provides dependable fantasy value.


FantasySP AI Analysis Updated 1 day ago
Latest News Daniel Gafford
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Performance Zach LaVine
Fantasy Chart Loading...

PPG APG RPG MPG STLS BLKS GP
0
Season stats based on the past 7 days

PPG APG RPG MPG STLS BLKS GP
0
Season stats based on the past 14 days
Performance Daniel Gafford
Fantasy Chart Loading...

PPG APG RPG MPG STLS BLKS GP
0
Season stats based on the past 7 days

PPG APG RPG MPG STLS BLKS GP
0
Season stats based on the past 14 days
Next Up ❱ Own/Start Comparison
OWN/START Zach LaVine
OWN
93%
+1.29 compared to last week
START
52%
-5.08 compared to last week
OWN/START Daniel Gafford
OWN
55%
+2.83 compared to last week
START
12%
+0.14 compared to last week
Next Up ❱ Consensus Rankings
Expert Consensus Zach LaVine
53rd
Average Ranking of Fantasy Experts
Expert Consensus Daniel Gafford
46th
Average Ranking of Fantasy Experts
Next Up ❱ Player Breakdowns
Breakdown Zach LaVine

    Overview

  • Experts rank this player at 53rd among SG's. Based on his stats from the past 30 days, he is currently ranked 59th with 1014 total points (26.00 avg).
  • He is currently 2633 points behind the leader: Donovan Mitchell
  • He is putting up close to the kind of numbers the experts expected him to.
  • His average points in the past two weeks have dipped quite a bit at 26.
  • Performance Stats

  • Assists per game numbers are 0 apg this month.
  • Bonus Qualities

  • Played in 45 less games this year than last year.
  • At this point in the season his numbers compared to last years: PPG: -1.37, APG: -1.47, RPG: -1, MPG: +0.22 STLS: +0.04 BLKS: +0.12
Breakdown Daniel Gafford

    Overview

  • Experts rank this player at 46th among C's. Based on his stats from the past 30 days, he is currently ranked 36th with 1224 total points (22.25 avg).
  • He is currently 3002 points behind the leader: Nikola Jokic
  • He is doing a better than most people thought he would.
  • His average points in the past two weeks have dipped quite a bit at 22.3.
  • Performance Stats

  • Assists per game numbers are 0 apg.
  • He does not have enough rebounds this month to be analyzed. This could be due to an injury.
  • Bonus Qualities

  • Played in 28 less games this year than last year.
  • At this point in the season his numbers compared to last years: PPG: +0.92, APG: +0.06, RPG: +2.09, MPG: +6.38 STLS: +0.48 BLKS: --0.02
Next Up ❱ Health Check
Injury Zach LaVine

No Injury Reported

Injury Daniel Gafford

No Injury Reported

Next Up ❱ Matchup Comparison
Matchups Zach LaVine
DateOpponentResult
Oct 21@LAC
Oct 23VS POR
Oct 25VS MEM
PPG APG RPG MPG STLS BLKS GP
0
Season stats based on this weeks opponents
Matchups Daniel Gafford
DateOpponentResult
Oct 21@HOU
Oct 23@IND
Oct 24VS SA
PPG APG RPG MPG STLS BLKS GP
0
Season stats based on this weeks opponents
Next Up ❱ Ratings Comparison
Rating Zach LaVine
18.30
FantasySP Player Rating
Rating Daniel Gafford
12.42
FantasySP Player Rating
Next Up ❱ Career Comparison
Career Zach LaVine
YEAR TEAM GP M FG% 3P% FT% PPG AST REB BLK STL TO
14-15 MIN 77 24.5 .423 .341 .842 10.1 3.6 2.8 0.1 0.7 2.5
15-16 MIN 81 27.8 .450 .389 .791 14.0 3.0 2.8 0.2 0.9 1.9
16-17 MIN 46 37.4 .462 .390 .836 19.2 2.9 3.3 0.2 0.9 1.8
18-19 CHI 24 27.2 .383 .342 .813 16.7 3.0 4.0 0.2 1.0 1.8
18-19 CHI 65 34.3 .466 .370 .836 23.7 4.5 4.6 0.4 1.0 3.4
19-20 CHI 59 34.5 .444 .372 .803 25.2 4.2 4.8 0.5 1.4 3.4
20-21 CHI 54 34.6 .506 .415 .845 27.2 5.0 5.1 0.5 0.9 3.6
21-22 CHI 76 33.8 .478 .395 .858 23.9 4.5 4.6 0.3 0.6 2.6
22-23 CHI 78 35.6 .482 .368 .847 24.8 4.2 4.5 0.2 0.9 2.5
23-24 CHI 25 34.4 .452 .349 .854 19.5 3.9 5.1 0.3 0.9 2.1
24-25 CHI 74 34.8 .511 .444 .823 23.3 4.3 4.3 0.2 0.8 2.9
25-26 SAC 39 30.9 .479 .390 .880 19.2 2.3 2.8 0.3 0.7 1.9
3-YEAR AVG 46 33.6 .492 .413 .845 21.5 3.6 4.0 0.2 0.8 2.4
Totals 703 32.4 .469 .389 .836 20.7 3.9 4.0 0.3 0.9 2.6
Career Daniel Gafford
YEAR TEAM GP M FG% 3P% FT% PPG AST REB BLK STL TO
19-20 CHI 43 14.0 .702 .0 .533 5.1 0.5 2.5 1.3 0.3 0.7
20-21 CHI 46 13.8 .689 .0 .632 6.7 0.5 4.2 1.4 0.5 0.8
21-22 WAS 76 19.8 .690 .0 .683 9.5 0.9 5.8 1.4 0.4 0.9
22-23 WAS 77 20.2 .730 .0 .677 9.1 1.1 5.5 1.3 0.4 1.1
23-24 WAS 79 23.6 .712 .0 .674 10.6 1.5 7.3 2.0 0.9 1.0
24-25 DAL 59 20.9 .704 .0 .692 12.1 1.4 6.7 1.8 0.4 1.2
25-26 DAL 55 21.3 .655 .0 .683 9.5 1.1 6.9 1.3 0.8 1.1
3-YEAR AVG 70 22.0 .694 .0 .678 10.7 1.3 6.9 1.7 0.6 1.1
Totals 467 19.7 .701 .0 .669 9.3 1.0 5.8 1.5 0.5 1.0
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