NBA trade proposal sends Bennedict Mathurin to Bulls, Mavs’ Daniel Gafford to Pacers

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report cooked up a four-team trade machine special involving the Bulls, Pacers, Mavericks and Pelicans. It’s ambitious. It’s complicated. It’s the kind of deal that would require three cap experts, two lawyers and one aspirin.

Here’s the proposed framework:

Bulls receive 

• Bennedict Mathurin
• Yves Missi
• Kevon Looney

Pacers receive

• Daniel Gafford
• Jevon Carter
• $9.2 million trade exception

Pelicans receive

• Jarace Walker
• Dante Exum
• Two trade exceptions
• 2026 protected first-round pick from Chicago

Mavericks receive

• Dalen Terry
• Two trade exceptions
• 2026 protected first-round pick (via Portland, from Chicago)

Pincus layered in enough protections, exceptions and salary gymnastics to qualify as a graduate-level cap seminar.

Chicago chases upside around Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Indiana upgrades its center rotation. New Orleans grabs young talent and future flexibility. Dallas cashes out Gafford into picks and movable money.

Mathurin remains the biggest name here, averaging 17.8 points per game. Gafford brings rim protection and lobs. Terry is… included.

Will this happen? Probably not. But as deadline theater goes, this one has range.