The Indiana Pacers decided to let Myles Turner walk in free agency over the offseason. They were not expecting him to get an offer like the one that Milwaukee gave him. They didn’t have a backup plan when he decided to leave.
Isaiah Jackson was he starting center to begin the year, but he might not be the best option moving forward. Jay Huff has been the more effective player on both ends of the court. Indiana is still reportedly looking at adding a center of the future at the trade deadline.
A trade proposal from Bleacher Report, the Pacers would add Daniel Gafford as the center of the future, adding him to part of a team that made the NBA Finals last year.
GettyMavericks center Daniel Gafford holds the ball. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Pacers Trade For Center of Future in Bold Trade Proposal
Here is the full trade idea:
Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, and 2027 second-round pick (via UTA) to the Dallas Mavericks for Daniel Gafford.
Gafford has popped up in trade rumors over the last few weeks. He would be a great center to add for Indiana, as he is a solid rim protector and a good rim-runner. That’s the kind of player that the Pacers can use next season when Tyrese Haliburton returns.
Indiana would be trading two inconsistent players for a guy who can be the linchpin of Indiana’s defense in the paint. He would also be more of an offensive threat than Huff, even though Huff can stretch the floor. Huff is more of a backup center than he is a starter.
Not giving up a first-round pick would be ideal for the Pacers, even though they view themselves as title contenders once Haliburton returns next season. They have a chance to add a top-five player in this year’s NBA Draft, as well.
GettyMavericks center Daniel Gafford dunks the ball. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Pacers Continue to Look For a Center
Indiana is going to keep looking around for a center once the trade deadline approaches. Whatever trade they make is not going to be made with an eye on this season. The Pacers need to find a center who pairs well with Haliburton.
Haliburton is the player around whom the entire organization is centered. Every player they bring into the roster has to be a good fit with him. If the Pacers decide to bring in another center, it has to be one that Haliburton has signed off on before they make that choice.
Gafford isn’t the only center that the Pacers are taking a look at. They have been linked to a couple of other players. How they are able to address the center spot before next season begins is going to be the key to whether or not they can make another run at the Finals.
Right now, the Pacers sit with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference standings. That is unlikely to change, even if they were to trade for a center soon.
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