Thrilling Mavericks trade rumor suddenly opens door to dream target

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford has recently been linked to the Indiana Pacers in trade rumors, and these rumblings could lead to Dallas netting Andrew Nembhard, the brother of Mavericks rookie Ryan Nembhard, in a potential deal.

It remains unclear how eager the Mavericks are to trade Gafford ahead of the trade deadline, but it is clear that Indiana wants to add a new big man for the future. Trade rumors of any type get the fan base buzzing, and the Mavericks would have the opportunity to add a high-level difference-maker if they were to move on from Gafford.

The Pacers shockingly lost Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks over the offseason after 10 seasons in Indy, and Tyrese Haliburton needs a new pick-and-roll partner once he fully recovers from his Achilles tear that he suffered in the 2025 NBA Finals. Gafford could be all of that and more, as he thrived while playing next to Luka Doncic and turned into one of the strongest finishers in the West, and teaming up with Haliburton would definitely help him turn into a monster down low again.

Gafford is averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 61 percent from the field. While he has had some good moments, he doesn't seem like himself. Gafford sprained his right ankle during the first day of training camp, and it seems to have been bothering him ever since.

Gafford trade rumors could lead to Dallas landing Andrew Nembhard

He has not been playing with the same explosiveness that we are used to seeing, and he can occasionally be seen limping after games due to the pain he is dealing with. The nagging ankle pain boiled over on December 3 against the Miami Heat when he re-aggravated that ankle, and he has been out ever since.

On top of Gafford's ankle problems, Dallas also just lost Dereck Lively II for the year due to him needing surgery on his right foot. This puts the Mavericks in a pickle, as trading Gafford would leave them extremely thin at the big man spot, but the rumors are undeniable. They date back to last season's trade deadline, and the smoke could pick up over the next few weeks, depending on what direction the Mavs decide to go.

If the Pacers are highly interested in acquiring Gafford, and Dallas is willing to play ball, they should definitely target Nembhard. He has turned into one of the most underrated guards in the Eastern Conference over the last few years, and he'd be a perfect fit in Dallas.

This season for Indiana, Nembhard is averaging 17.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting a career-high 36.1 percent from downtown on 4.9 attempts per game. He has seen a massive role increase with the injuries that the Pacers have dealt with all season, and his growth has been clear.

During the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Nembhard shot 46.5 percent from beyond the arc, and his play in the postseason was a major reason that Indiana made it as far as they did. He is known as a playoff riser, and these are the exact type of players the Mavericks need as they try to build a contender around Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg.

Everything that he did so well for Indiana during their run to the Finals is on full display this season, and the Mavericks should strike while the iron is hot. His energy, strong shooting, tenacious defense, and ability as a playmaker would be welcomed in Dallas, and he would definitely help the Mavs get back on track from long range.

Through 26 games, Dallas is 27th in the NBA in 3-point percentage at 34.1 and 25th in 3-pointers made per game with 11.7, and they clearly need to improve in this area to solidify themselves as a playoff team. They're on a tear recently since making Ryan Nembhard the starting point guard, winning five of their last six games, but they still have another level to hit.

Dallas has the talent to sneak into the playoffs, and Andrew Nembhard definitely has the flair to help make that goal a reality. But, on the other hand, he would also be a good piece for them if they decide to enter a rebuild around Flagg, Ryan Nembhard, Dereck Lively II, and Max Christie (among others) and trade off some veteran pieces.

Andrew Nembhard is only 25 years old and is just about to enter his prime. With the Mavericks' draft capital situation, their rebuild needs to be quick, and he would be a winning player in Dallas on day one.

He's ready to be a key piece in the rotation right away, and he and Irving would form a dangerous duo. It has been clear for weeks that the Mavs need help in the backcourt, and that assistance coming from Nembhard would be a dream come true for Mavs fans.

Time will tell how interested the Pacers are in Gafford, and their level of interest could ultimately determine how available Nembhard is. He has been a key contributor to their success for years, but maybe their desire for a new rim-rolling big man could lead them to swap him for Gafford.