Pacers eye Daniel Gafford as long-term center option

Shams Charania reported earlier that Indiana is searching for a long-term center and that the Dallas Mavericks are open to discussing Daniel Gafford in trade talks.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line connected those points, writing that the Pacers are believed to have interest in Gafford, who could fit well as a pick-and-roll partner for Tyrese Haliburton once he returns from his Achilles injury.

Gafford is trade-eligible despite signing a three-year extension in the offseason, since the $54MM-plus deal didn’t violate extend-and-trade limits.

What Dallas would want in return isn’t yet clear, but Indiana has multiple salary-matching paths.

Obi Toppin’s $14MM contract fits cleanly, while a combination like Bennedict Mathurin and Tony Bradley also works financially.

The Pacers additionally hold all of their future first-round picks, giving them flexibility if draft capital becomes part of a potential offer.

The Pacers reportedly have interest in a Mavericks big man: https://t.co/0S7UBJwiKo

— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 10, 2025