Bennedict Mathurin reportedly may be seeking a contract extension worth $20-$30 million per year, and it is up to the Indiana Pacers to decide what they are going to do. (h/t Jake Fischer on Bleacher Report).
"I think Benn Mathurin certainly wants to be compensated in that same $20-$30 [million] ballpark...I think there's gonna be an opportunity for him without Tyrese Haliburton for much of the season to try to play his way into that number moving forward. I'll be curious to see if there's an extension to come there before the season starts, Fischer said."
Mathurin is eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension this summer. However, as it stands, it seems that Indiana is opting to let the Canadian native play next season to prove his worth rather than making a long-term commitment this summer.
Fischer seemed to have hinted that the Pacers could still sign Mathurin to a new deal before the season starts. Whether this does happen or not remains to be seen, but it will be one of the more important narratives to follow for Pacers fans the rest of the way.
Bennedict Mathurin needs to prove he can be a long-term contributor
Throughout his NBA career so far, Mathurin has established himself as a gifted iso scorer who can be a bit of a microwave in Indiana. He can be streaky, but when he gets his shot going, the Arizona alum adds a whole new dynamic to the Pacers' offense. Unfortunately for him, there are still legitimate concerns about his fit with the team.
Mathurin excels in iso scoring, which does not necessarily work well in the Pacers' fast-paced offense. Additionally, though he has grown as an all-around player since joining the league, he might not provide enough value at the other aspects of his game to justify giving him a big role. Regardless, it is clear that he is talented, and he will likely have all of next season to showcase what he can bring to the table.
The 23-year-old is expected to be Indiana's starting shooting guard next season alongside Andrew Nembhard, who will run the point for a year. Not only is this a great opportunity for Mathurin to excel in an expanded role, but he should also benefit from Nembhard being the team's point guard.
With Tyrese Haliburton on the shelf for all of next season due to an Achilles injury, the Pacers' offense is going to look incredibly different. Instead of relying on their normal run-and-gun offense, they are likely going to focus on a more traditional offense with set plays in the half-court. This is not ideal for Indiana, but it could still work, especially for a guy like Mathurin.
If Mathurin can step up in a major way next season, the Pacers may have no choice but to keep him around for the long haul. However, if he can't, his days in Indiana will likely be numbered, and he may have to get his second contract from another team.