3 things to know about Pacers trade acquisition Daniel Theis

Matthew VanTryon, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read
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The Indiana Pacers acquired Daniel Theis as part of a deal that sent Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics on Friday. Here's what to know about him:

Daniel Theis was a standout overseas

Theis, born in Germany, was a standout overseas, where he won three German League championships. During the 2016-17 season, he averaged 9.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

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Celtics, Bulls and Rockets, oh my

He signed with the Boston Celtics prior to the 2017-18 season, and averaged 5.3 points per game. His best years with the team came in 2020 and 2021 — he averaged 9.3 points in 107 games. He spent the later part of the 2021 season with the Bulls, was traded to Houston during the offseason and traded back to Boston in February.

The 6-8 center has averaged 7.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 306 regular-season games.

Boston Celtics center Daniel Theis (27) pushes past Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) and Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis (11) to dunk Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Boston Celtics center Daniel Theis (27) pushes past Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) and Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis (11) to dunk Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.

Gordon Hayward says Theis has 'a really good feel for the game'

Gordon Hayward, a former Butler standout who played with Theis in Boston, was quick to praise Theis for his versatility — and his ability to pull what the Celtics called "The Theis," where the center would seal off a defender to clear the way for one of his teammates to get to the rim.

"Maybe he learned (the seal) somewhere else or he naturally did it on his own, he just has good timing on it," Hayward told NBC Sports Boston. "So knowing kinda how fast to roll, and when he should roll to the rim. And when he should roll for a seal. Also when to pop and things like that. Daniel Theis just has a really good feel for the game.”

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers: 3 things fans should know about Daniel Theis