The Indiana Pacers may look to trade Bennedict Mathurin before the start of the 2026-27 season to avoid paying the luxury tax.
Mathurin is eligible for a contract extension right now. However, as it stands, the Pacers are not likely to give him a new deal. At least not yet. Instead, they are expected to give the Canadian native a legitimate opportunity next season to showcase his talents and prove his worth. Now that he is the projected starting shooting guard for Indiana next season, he will be able to do exactly that.
Unfortunately for Mathurin, it is safe to say he has to work his way up to a contract rather than it being a guarantee that he will get one. Though he has a lot of talent, there are legitimate concerns about his long-term fit in Indiana. If the Pacers do not sign him to a new deal, then he will be a restricted free agent next summer.
Given that his future with the Pacers is already uncertain and that they are still actively looking to avoid the luxury tax, they may opt to move on from Mathurin before next season, whether it be at the trade deadline or via a sign-and-trade next offseason.
Bennedict Mathurin has a lot to prove next season
Nobody is doubting Mathurin's talents. He is a gifted scorer, is still young, and has drastically improved his all-around game since entering the league. However, he is not a great fit in the Pacers' system, and there are reasons to think the team would be better off moving on from him for financial flexibility.
The 23-year-old has the potential to be a great scorer in the league. However, his bread-and-butter is iso scoring, which is not how Indiana likes to run their offense. While the Pacers rely more heavily on fast-paced ball movement and always keeping the defense on its toes, Mathurin is more of a ball-stopper and plays a bit slower. Regardless of how talented he is, this could be a recipe for disaster for the long haul, and it could be the reason the team ultimately chooses to stay under the luxury tax rather than give him a new deal.
On the flip side, it is risky to get rid of a player with as much scoring upside as Mathurin has, especially since he has grown since his rookie season. Regardless, next season will be the ultimate test for him.
With Andrew Nembhard running the point for a season, the Pacers will likely run a more traditional offense with half-court sets and a slower pace. While the team as a whole will lose a lot of its dynamic, this could be great news for Mathurin, who should excel in this type of style. As long as he can make the most of it, he could be in for a breakout season.
Even though Tyrese Haliburton will miss all of next season with an Achilles injury, it is fair to say the Pacers are likely going to aim to remain competitive. Another deep playoff run is unlikely. However, they still have a great roster even without their star guard, and the Pacers are not the type of team to tank. As they look to shock the basketball world (again), they will rely heavily on Mathurin during what could be his final year in Indiana.