Pacers linked to Mavericks trade, but not Anthony Davis

Trade momentum approx Indiana Pacers was picked up as the franchise evaluates options for bolstering its frontcourt following the departure of Myles Turner in free agency. The The Pacers, who reached the NBA Finals last season before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games, they are tied with Dallas Mavericks in search of a center – especially a Dallas big man Daniel Gaffordand not All-Star forward Anthony Davis.

Stein Line’s Jake Fisher reported Tuesday that Indiana did expressed interest in Gafford as part of research during the season.

“Meanwhile… Turner’s old team in Indiana is expected to shop in the offseason big man market and is also believed to maintain interest in Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford as a potential pick-and-roll lob threat before Tyrese Halliburton returns from an Achilles tear next season.

That reporting is in accordance with ESPN’s Shams Charania, who also noted Indiana’s increased activity.

The Pacers are in active trade talks around the league to find a center of the future after losing Myles Turner in free agency, sources said.

Pacers linked to Mavericks center Daniel Gafford in search of long-term frontcourt help

Gafford (27) is averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 assists per game on 61 percent shooting in 15 games and 12 starts. He is playing 22.9 minutes per contest in his third season with Dallas. He played an important role during The Mavericks advance to the 2024 NBA Finals and remains on a three-year, $54.2 million extension signed last offseason, making $17.2 million this year.

Dallas has been struggling with that since the February trade sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and brought Anthony Davis to the Mavericks. Despite Davis’ arrival, Dallas opened the 2025–26 season with a 9–16 record, albeit coming off a 122–109 victory over the Houston Rockets. The Mavericks will conclude their two-game homestand on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets (6-17) at 8:30 PM ET.

Indiana enters Friday’s matchup at 6-18, but has won two straight, including a 116–105 win over the Sacramento Kings on Monday. The Pacers will look to extend that streak to three when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers (13-10) at 7:00 PM ET in Philadelphia.

Indiana’s pursuit of Gafford underscores its intent to reshape the center position early in the season, though no deal appears imminent. The franchise continues to scour the league for long-term options as Tyrese Haliburton remains sidelined with an Achilles injury.