The Indiana Pacers are 6-18 and own the second-worst record in the NBA. A playoff appearance this season isn't likely, and even if they make it, they're not likely to go on a deep run. Still, this reportedly hasn't stopped them from being buyers ahead of this season's trade deadline as they may be pursuing Dallas Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford (h/t Jake Fischer of The Stein Line).
"Turner's old team in Indiana is expected to shop the in-season trade market for big men and likewise believed to hold interest in Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford as a potential pick-and-roll lob threat before Tyrese Haliburton's return from an Achilles tear next season," Fischer wrote.
Fischer's report comes the same day that ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Indiana is actively pursuing a trade for a new center of the future. Though Charania didn't name any specific trade target for the Pacers, Fischer did. And it's an intriguing one.
Pacers reportedly seeking center upgrade despite down year
Hypothetically, the Pacers trading for Gafford would more than likely be a move to compete for next season and not this one. But it would still be an interesting move regardless.
This season was always meant to be more about experimentation for the Pacers just to see who can step up in an expanded role. And though their center situation is mostly leaving a lot to be desired, they have gotten good play out of Jay Huff, who they acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason.
Huff is beginning to look like a solid fit in Indiana and may even be establishing himself as a long-term contributor for the team. However, based on the latest reports, it seems that the Pacers don't think all too highly of him. Or, at the very least, they wouldn't trust him to start in the NBA Finals (which isn't entirely unfair).
Instead of letting it ride with Huff and Isaiah Jackson, the Pacers are reportedly looking to upgrade at the position this season. And it seems like Gafford might be their guy.
Should the Pacers pursue a Daniel Gafford trade?
Like Fischer mentions, Gafford would be a fantastic pick-and-roll big man for the Pacers once Tyrese Haliburton comes back. He possesses good size at 6-foot-10, 265 pounds, and he is a fantastic scorer in the paint, shooting a career 70.6% from the field. This includes shooting a league-leading 72.5% from the field in 2023-24.
The Arkansas native is also a decent rebounder, averaging 6.8 boards per game in parts of three seasons with the Mavericks, and he can provide solid rim protection and paint defense, averaging a career 1.5 blocks per game.
There are some cons to the Pacers acquiring Gafford, though.
He is not a shooter. At all. According to StatMuse, he has attempted (and missed) one three-point field goal in his career. He also isn't much of a mid-range shooter either.
However, next season, Gafford's three-year, $54.4 million contract extension kicks in. This is a solid contract for someone with his skillset, and given that he's just 17 years old, he fits the Pacers' timeline as well.
But should Indiana make a trade for Gafford?
While it's clear that he would be an upgrade at center for the Pacers, there are reasons for the team not to trade for him. Most notably, making this deal almost inevitably means that Bennedict Mathurin would be on the move since he is the best realistic trade piece for Indiana this year, given his contract situation.
Gafford's good, but not for Mathurin, who continues to play some great basketball and prove to the Pacers that he can be a long-term asset. Plus, it's fair to say that the team should just let Huff continue to do what he's doing. He's only one year older than Gafford, is on a way better contract, and is (in theory) a better fit in Indiana's system due to his ability to stretch the floor.
If the Pacers trade for Gafford, fans shouldn't be all that upset on the surface. He's a good player and would raise Indiana's ceiling. But the cons may outweigh the pros, and the Pacers should maybe just see what happens this season and shift their focus to making moves in the offseason if anything.