Popular Pacers trade candidate has turned into an untouchable franchise player

The 2024-25 NBA season has been a bag of mixed emotions for the Indiana Pacers so far. They are dealing with numerous injuries, most notably to Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, who each suffered season-ending Achilles injuries, and they began the season 1-3. However, the team has turned things around recently.

Two weeks into the campaign, the Pacers stand at 4-4 and share the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with the Brooklyn Nets. Additionally, they are beginning to look like the team that made the conference finals one season ago, which should give Pacers fans hope for the rest of the season.

Despite the roller coaster of emotions, there is one major positive story regarding the Pacers--the breakout campaign of Bennedict Mathurin. Heading into the season, Mathurin's future with the Pacers seemed undecided. While he showed flashes in his two seasons before this, there were legitimate doubts about the Canadian native's long-term role in Indiana, making him a top trade asset. However, given his play this season, Mathurin has flipped the script and has proven he is an untouchable trade piece.

Bennedict Mathurin's play has made it impossible for the Pacers to trade him

Given how well Mathurin has played to begin the 2024-25 season, you would have never known that he is coming off a season-ending shoulder injury that he suffered in March. The Arizona alum missed Indiana's entire Eastern Conference Finals run, which opened the door for players like Andrew Nembhard to showcase their talents.

Through the first eight games of the season, including three starts, the 22-year-old is averaging 16.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. Furthermore, he is shooting 52.5% from the field and 37% from the three-point line. Mathurin already has two double-doubles, including a 30-point, 11-rebound performance against the reigning champion Boston Celtics.

What makes Mathurin's campaign so special so far is that there have been multiple times in games where he looks like the best player on the court for either team. When he is hot, there is very little defenses can do to stop Mathurin. He has improved his efficiency this season and is producing a lot more on offense.

Mathurin still has two years remaining on his rookie contract. Trading him seemed like a realistic option (if not inevitable) when the season started, but his play and ability to step up when needed are making it incredibly difficult for the Pacers to justify moving on from him.

It is important to note that the Pacers are missing starting small forward Aaron Nesmith, who is currently sidelined due to an ankle injury, but even when he returns, Mathurin has shown the fans and the organization that he has earned a major role in the rotation.