The Indiana Pacers traded Bennedict Mathurin (and their first-round pick for this year's draft. Even if it's protected, this was still a risky decision) to the Los Angeles Clippers for Ivica Zubac ahead of this year's deadline.
And nearly two months later, the trade is easily aging better for Los Angeles.
It's still way too early to definitively say who won or lost the trade, but here are the facts: 1) Zubac only played in five games for the Pacers this season due to injuries, and there are some concerns about his offensive fit as someone who can't stretch the floor. 2) Mathurin has played lights-out with the Clippers, and even Isaiah Jackson (who was also a part of the trade) has carved out a decent role. And 3) Indiana is in legitimate danger of losing its first-round pick in what most consider the most stacked NBA draft class in recent years.
There is still a ton of time left to judge the trade, and everybody knew this was more of a long-term decision for the Pacers. But as it stands, it doesn't look great.
Bennedict Mathurin has played incredibly well with the Clippers
A lot of Pacers fans were upset to see Mathurin go, and it's easy to see why. He had spent parts of his first four NBA seasons in Indiana and gradually improved every year. Additionally, he is an incredibly gifted scorer with a very high ceiling and has developed into a better all-around player.
To get something, you have to give up something. And the Pacers desperately needed a guy like Zubac on their team. As such, dealing Mathurin, who is set to hit restricted free agency this offseason, made the most sense for the team. However, the Canadian native has constantly shown the Pacers exactly what they're missing out on since joining the Clippers.
In 20 games with his new team (and just one start), Mathurin has averaged 19.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1 steal in 29.4 minutes. His shot still hasn't fallen yet (43.7 FG% and 20.6 3FG%), but he looks good and comfortable.
During a recent episode of "The Zach Lowe Show," Lowe opined that this version of Mathurin would likely be the favorite to win the Sixth Man of the Year award right now.
"He's playing great. ... I don't think he's played enough to get down in the top-three for Sixth Man of the Year. But the Clippers version, if that were the full season, he would be the favorite for Sixth Man of the Year," Lowe said about Mathurin.
The former Pacers wing is playing some of the best basketball of his career right now, and given that they don't have a clear replacement for him yet, this is a move that could haunt them for years if it doesn't work out.
The Pacers are also at risk of losing their first-round pick
On top of Mathurin's play in Los Angeles, it can't be ignored that the Pacers also might not have their first-round pick this year (which will happen if it falls in the 5-9 range).
This draft class is loaded. Not only is the top of the class filled with talent (AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson all have the potential to be franchise guys in the NBA), but the next tier is also stacked with players like Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, and Keaton Wagler.
Adding any one of these players would be a dream for Indiana. It would allow them to add a top-tier prospect who can contribute now and in the future on a roster that is already capable of competing for a championship next season.
But if they lose their pick, it would be a wasted opportunity for a trade that could (huge emphasis on "could" since Zubac is still a fantastic center) backfire.