Pacers Trade For New Starting Center in This Trade Idea

The Indiana Pacers are in a transition season. They won't have their best player, Tyler Haliburton, for the season. Despite making the NBA Finals last season, without Haliburton, they've struggled mightily. As of Wednesday, they are the second-worst team in the league with a record of 6–24.

Because this is a bit of a year off for the Pacers, it could be the perfect time to retool in anticipation of Haliburton's return next season. One thing that the Pacers are going to need when Haliburton comes back is a solid starting center.

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed “1 Trade Every NBA Team Would Make If the Deadline Was Today,” and his Pacers trade idea would bring in a new starting center for their future. 

"The trade: Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, and a 2027 second-round pick (via UTA) to the Dallas Mavericks for Daniel Gafford.

While there's an argument to be made for the Pacers to give stronger consideration to a total tank job, they also clearly have a desire to compete with Tyrese Haliburton as soon as he's ready to return from his Achilles tear. If that's the goal, though, then they must address their Myles Turner-sized hole in the middle.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that's what they're aiming to do, as they're "in active trade talks around the league to find a center of the future." Gafford, who'd be a clear subtraction candidate should Dallas take the self-destruct option, would be both an instant upgrade and a potent pick-and-roll partner with Haliburton for years to come.”

The Pacers should absolutely consider a trade like this. Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard are solid, but neither is a necessary piece for the Pacers' future. Gafford could really help the Pacers next year as they are really missing the presence of Myles Turner.