Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford is reportedly drawing interest from the Indiana Pacers, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
This news followed ESPN’s Shams Charania’s Tuesday report that Dallas is open to exploring the trade market for the 6-foot-10 big man.
Pacers Hold Interest In Daniel Gafford
Per Fischer, the Pacers are “believed to hold interest” in Gafford on the trade market as a potential pick-and-roll partner for star point guard Tyrese Haliburton next season.
Haliburton, 25, is not expected to play this season due to a torn right Achilles that he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Mavericks are shopping Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, and Gafford about a month after team governor Patrick Dumont fired president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison.
After Harrison’s exit last month, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that Dallas is “plotting to pivot” to a future built around this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg.
Gafford Signed Extension With Mavericks
Gafford, 27, signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension with the Mavericks during the offseason. The former second-rounder remains under contract through the 2028-29 season.
Through 15 appearances (12 starts) this season, Gafford is averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 22.9 minutes per outing while shooting a career-low 61% from the field and a career-best 79.1% from the free throw line.
In 57 games (31 starts) last season, he averaged a career-high 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 21.5 minutes per contest while shooting 70.2% from the floor and 68.9% from the foul line.
Per Basketball Reference, Gafford also averaged a career-high usage rate of 19.5%. He finished 10th in blocks (102) and third in offensive rating (137.4) as well.
Entering the season, Gafford’s 71% career field goal percentage was the best in the NBA since he was drafted in 2019 (based on a minimum of 1,000 field goal attempts), per Second Spectrum.
Gafford Viewed As Most Tradeable Maverick
NBA insider Marc Stein reported last month that Gafford is “widely regarded as the most tradeable Maverick between now and the Feb. 5 trade deadline.”
Of the four Mavs players mentioned, Gafford could be the first one moved.
The Pacers could use Gafford’s paint protection to help bolster their frontcourt after losing center Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency.
Indiana has struggled to defend the key since Turner’s departure.
