Earlier today, Shams Charania of ESPN passed along several rumors related to the NBA’s trade market, including the fact that the Pacers are on the lookout for a long-term answer at center and that Daniel Gafford is among the players the Mavericks are willing to discuss in trade talks.
In his own look at the trade market on Tuesday, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) links those two items, reporting that the Pacers are believed to have interest in Gafford, who could make sense as a pick-and-roll partner for Tyrese Haliburton once the star point guard returns from his Achilles tear.
As we noted earlier in the day, Gafford signed a three-year extension during the offseason that will run through 2028/29, but he remains trade-eligible because that three-year, $54MM+ deal didn’t exceed the NBA’s extend-and-trade restrictions.
It’s unclear exactly what sort of return the Mavs would be seeking for the veteran center, but Obi Toppin ($14MM) or a package of Bennedict Mathurin ($9.2MM) and Tony Bradley ($2.9MM) are a couple examples of potential matches for Gafford ($14.4MM) from a salary perspective. Indiana also controls all of its own future first-round picks and most of its second-rounders.
Here are a few more highlights from Fischer’s latest rumor round-up:
- According to Fischer, the Clippers fully intend to work with Chris Paul and his representatives at CAA to find a new home for the veteran point guard, who may be the top candidate to be dealt on December 15 when dozens of players become newly trade-eligible. Playing close to his home in Los Angeles was Paul’s top priority in the offseason, but Fischer wonders if playing time will be a more important factor for the future Hall of Famer this time around, pointing out that CP3’s dissatisfaction grew as his minutes decreased in L.A.
- Outside of Paul, the Clippers aren’t considered likely to pursue any significant deals right away when trade season unofficially opens next Monday, says Fischer, adding that he views Ivica Zubac, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard as unlikely candidates to be moved — at least for now. Sam Amick of The Athletic made a similar point during an appearance on FanDuel’s Run it Back show on Tuesday (Twitter video link), pointing out half-jokingly that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has an “inexplicable, borderline insane addiction to this group.”
- Maintaining cap flexibility beginning in 2027 remains a top priority for the Clippers, according to Fischer, who hears from sources that the team never offered Norman Powell a contract extension before trading him to the Heat over the summer. The Clippers’ front office expected Powell to seek a new deal in the neighborhood of $30MM, per Fischer.
- While Giannis Antetokounmpo would obviously be of greater interest if the Bucks become sellers, Fischer suggests that Milwaukee center Myles Turner could be a target worth watching for the Warriors as they explore the market for potential deals involving Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State has had interest in Turner in the past, having discussed scenarios involving Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and Andrew Wiggins back when the big man was still in Indiana, Fischer writes.
The Warriors pursued Claxton and Kornet. So, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Like Giannis, plenty of other teams would have far better packages for Turner than the Warriors.
I’m sure the Warriors are interested in Turner. Somehow i doubt the bucks are interested in Kuminga.
More Bucks wanting to get rid of payroll. Turner contract would have another 3 years left on it and the price going up every year while Kuminga is only for 1 more year. Seen TJD with Kuminga and it works out.
And if Bucks trade Giannis – which at this point I think is very likely – it signals a full rebuild around the young guards and whatever picks they get back.
It would make sense to trade Turner for Kuminga, Podz and a pick at that point. Turner didn’t sign in FA to be a part of a rebuilding team. And Kuminga gets a starting role on an east rebuilding team which is what he needs.
No way warriors would give up that much for Turner
Not sure the Warriors would be interested as Post is an identical player as Turner.
lol
Turner is a FAR better defender.
Not anymore! Post is improving before our very eyes! Blocks maybe, but everything else? Not worth it.
GSW is 21st in blocks, and Turner is over 2X the shot blocker. As far as everything else, he’s outshooting Post from three by 4% and outscoring him by 5 ppg.
I’d say having 2 legit bigs would definitely be worth it.
Turner is a difference maker
Post is a difference maker, you just cant see it yet.
Now tell me where GSW is in defensive rating
Blocks alone do not = defense
Also, I don’t fully hate Turner on GSW, he just makes a lot of money…is he a “big 3” piece like Giannis is? Nope.
Gafford would be huge . Toppin and a pick. If they get a legit big I’m excited to see pacers back in the finals next year.
Would be 2014 spurs level of satisfying comeback
At this point, what does Myles Turner bring that Quentin Post doesn’t?
Turner offers more shot blocking, defence and experience than Post. Also I think at this stage it’s safe to say the Warriors would definitely prefer Turner to Kuminga even if they also have Post playing 17 minutes a game at center
I mean you can easily argue for depth here, but these two are actually really similar guys, if you take Myles at his career vs Post over his last few games. I think GSW can do better for Kuminga, who people need to remember is actually a really good player who currently leads the team in rebounds despite everyone always claiming he is bad.
“Myles at his career vs Post over his last few games.”
You just played yourself.
Yes because Post is developing in front of us into something everyone but me said he “would never be” in this league, and Myles is on the backslide of his career, you can’t see it because you dont watch the games.
But you knew that and went with the snark reply anyway, knowing my usual band of haters will upvote it. Gross. YDKB.
He’s pretty much better at everything, despite having a slow start adjusting to a new team and Giannis missing 8 games. Post has regressed in 3 pt efficiency, over 9% worse than last season.
And considering GSW’s lack of rim protection, getting him would significantly improve the team due to his blocks.
Just look at Pacers record without Turner
It’s not just Halli.
Gafford for Mathurin and Bradley that sounds like a really nice deal for both sides.
Mavs don’t need Gafford if Lively is the long term centre. They obviously look like going younger but being competitive. Mathurin is a baller who’s never really had much opportunity to shine in Indy but him and Cooper with Lively that’s a great start to something over in Dallas.
As for the Pacers, Tyrese Siakim and Gafford makes a good trio and then on the wing spots your just interchange 3 and D role players basically Nesmith is great, Nembhart is good, your currently set to get a top 5/10 pick that adds another solid piece.
Please do not trade Mathurin.
And is IJackson not healthy/recovered fully? They just gave him $40m, was a 1st round pick and played well before his Achilles….
Let him play ! Huff back him up. 28-20mins split…