The Indiana Pacers reportedly have interest in Dallas Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA Trade Deadline. However, Gafford re-aggravated a right ankle sprain he suffered in training camp during the Mavericks' loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, which may put a wrench in the Pacers' plans. At least a little bit.
If Gafford is going to be out for an extensive period of time, the Pacers may be more inclined to look elsewhere for a new starting center. Not necessarily to improve their outlook for the rest of this season, but to give the new big man an opportunity to develop chemistry with the rest of the team moving forward.
With the trade deadline just a few weeks away, this could be worth monitoring to see what Indiana does.
Daniel Gafford could be a big addition for the Pacers
Indiana isn't going to win many more games this season, and that might ultimately be a good thing for the team. The Pacers still have an incredibly bright future and should be able to re-enter the title picture once Tyrese Haliburton returns next season. But even beyond that, they have a unique opportunity to secure a top pick in this year's draft, which is expected to be a loaded one.
The Pacers still need an upgrade at center, however, following Myles Turner's departure in the offseason. There is a lot to like about a player like Jay Huff, but there aren't many reasons to believe the Pacers can rely on him in big moments.
This is where trading for someone like Gafford comes in.
He may not be a household name, but there is still a lot to like about what the Arkansas native would bring to the Pacers. For starters, he is a fantastic paint presence on both sides of the ball. He is an incredibly efficient scorer, shooting a career 70.4% from the field (he also led the league in FG% in 2023-24 with 72.5%). And he is a solid rim protector, averaging 1.5 blocks for his career.
Gafford isn't a stretch big, but he can still work well in Indiana's system. He can be a solid complement alongside Pascal Siakam, who does a lot of his work in the mid-range, and he plays with a lot of energy.
The 27-year-old is also a legitimate lob threat, which could add a whole new dimension to Indiana's offense.
As it stands, it remains to be seen just how bad his injury is and how much time he may miss. But on paper, Gafford could be a fantastic addition for a Pacers team looking to find their long-term solution at center.