Bennedict Mathurin is eligible for a contract extension this summer, but his future with the Indiana Pacers is still up in the air.
As it stands, while nothing is official, it seems that the Pacers will not sign the Canadian native to a new deal this offseason. If that's the case, then it will be interesting to see what happens next for Mathurin and the team.
If the two sides do not agree on a new contract, trading him becomes a legitimate possibility for Indiana. Additionally, while Mathurin wants to get paid, the market may not be there, especially if this year's restricted free agency class is any indication.
As the Pacers prepare for what most expect to be a gap year, they will probably take this opportunity to give a bigger role to some of their younger players. This includes Mathurin, who may be in line for his final season in Indiana.
Bennedict Mathurin can be a long-term contributor for the Pacers
Throughout his career with the Pacers up to this point, it has been no secret that Mathurin has talent. He is a fantastic scorer, especially in iso situations, and he can get hot in a second. Additionally, while he is far from an elite defender, he can still provide value on that side of the ball. Plus, Mathurin is only 23 years old and can still improve from here.
Despite all of his strengths, there is a reason Mathurin's future in Indiana is not set in stone just yet: he is not a great fit in their system.
The Arizona alum is fantastic at what he does, and he has developed into a bit more of a well-rounded team player since joining the league. However, the Pacers' offense is very reliant on fast-paced ball movement and getting everybody involved. Mathurin's style of play is a bit different as he typically puts the ball on the floor a bit too much to truly gel with the team. This can lower both his and the team's ceiling.
With Andrew Nembhard running the point next season instead of Tyrese Haliburton, how Mathurin performs will be worth monitoring. The Pacers will likely run a more traditional half-court offense with set plays, and this could be ideal for Mathurin. However, only time will tell how it pans out for him.
Regardless of whether he is a great fit or not, Mathurin showcased his value to the Pacers many times during the playoffs. He had multiple big moments, including during the NBA Finals, and he showcased exactly what the team was missing when he was on the shelf during the 2024 postseason.
Mathurin is not perfect, and he can certainly be streaky at times. Even so, he has a lot of potential and talent. Currently, it seems that he is going to enter next season without a new contract as the Pacers will look to give him an opportunity to prove his worth. There are reasons to believe he will do exactly that, but until it becomes official, his status in Indiana will be worth monitoring the rest of the way.