Report: Los Angeles Clippers showing interest in Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis

According to a report from Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Clippers are showing interest in Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis.

The report notes that the Clippers are looking at veteran center options around the league in response to Mason Plumlee's reported MCL sprain in his left knee. Plumlee, wh signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Clippers in the summer, hurt the knee on November 6 against the New York Knicks.

That injury leaves the Clippers thin at the center position behind Ivica Zubac. After making a big trade for James Harden, it makes sense for the all-in Clippers to look for options on the market.

"One player they are showing interest in, I'm told, is Pacers big man Daniel Theis," Charania said. Theis has one appearance for Indiana this season, which came last night in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He finished with two points in the outing.

Theis has shared his frustrations with his role on the Pacers this season. He is the fourth big man on the roster behind Myles Turner, Jalen Smith, and Isaiah Jackson, so playing time is hard to come by. Prior to Thursday night, he was the only member of the blue and gold who had not yet appeared in a game.

"Theis, you can't say enough about what a pro he is," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after last night's game. He praised the big man for entering the action and immediately being tasked with defending Giannis Antetokounmpo. "[Theis] held his own and helped us get some things loosened up on offense." The Pacers played the Bucks to a draw in Theis' minutes.

The veteran big man was traded to Indiana in the 2022 offseason as a part of the deal that sent Malcolm Brogdon to the Boston Celtics. Theis had knee surgery early in his first season with the Pacers, so he missed much of the year. He played in seven games upon returning, but was later removed from the rotation for younger players. He shared that he wanted to play more last season as well.

Theis was a part of the Germany squad that won the FIBA basketball World Cup back in September, an unforgettable experience for the 31-year old.

"The Pacers are not rushed, but are open to a potential move with Theis," Charania said. That makes sense as a stance for the team to take. Theis could have a role for them in trades as a salary piece in a bigger deal at some point, so any deal now would remove that possibility in the future.

The price would have to be right for the Pacers to make a trade now, and a deal with the Clippers is tricky. They have many players who can't legally be moved until later in the season, and some others who can't be aggregated with other salaries in a trade after just being sent to LA.

A buyout with Theis could be a possibility in the future if he finds an opportunity elsewhere, but that doesn't make sense for the Pacers right now. Unless the Clippers offer strong assets, it's hard to come up with a good trade at this moment.

Maybe something changes or a third team gets involved. If Los Angeles is motivated, they'll find a way. The trade deadline is still three months away, though, so there is no need for the Pacers to actively accelerate anything with the reserve big man.