According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Indiana Pacers are exploring a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans that would see them move on from Bennedict Mathurin in exchange for Yves Missi.
"An incomplete deal framework that could still make it to the finish line: There have been whispers about various trade constructions that would feature Missi landing with Indiana and swingman Bennedict Mathurin heading to New Orleans," Fischer wrote.
"As we've covered before, Indiana has been widely searching for avenues to turn Mathurin — who's destined for restricted free agency — into a starting-caliber center to slot alongside Tyrese Haliburton next season in hopes of helping restore the Pacers to championship contention in 2026-27."
Yes, it's true that the Pacers need a new starting center. And yes, it's true that trading Mathurin is their best chance to make that happen as he is about to hit restricted free agency. However, trading the Canadian native for Missi would be a massive mistake, and Indiana shouldn't take this risk.
The Pacers shouldn't trade Bennedict Mathurin for Yves Missi
On paper, there's a lot to like about Missi in Indiana. He had a stellar rookie season last year and earned All-Rookie Second Team honors. Additionally, he is a fantastic rim protector (he is averaging a career 1.3 blocks per game), a solid rebounder, and is incredibly athletic.
Missi is almost like an Isaiah Jackson with much more upside, and he would address a lot of the Pacers' needs. However, if the price is Mathurin, then they are better off just looking elsewhere.
The Pelicans big man is good, but he's not great. He is an inconsistent finisher at the rim, he is not a floor-spacer at all, and he is sometimes a little too aggressive on defense. Most of these problems should work themselves out over time, but if you're going to trade someone like Mathurin, you better be getting a sure thing in return. And unfortunately for Missi, he is not that.
There are reasons for the Pacers to trade Mathurin. On top of his being a restricted free agent in the offseason, there are valid concerns about his long-term fit in Indiana. The Canadian native is a ball-dominant wing in a system that prioritizes pushing the tempo and moving the ball. Additionally, it's still unclear if he's even going to be a full-time starter at any point moving forward.
Still, Mathurin is incredibly skilled and still has a lot of untapped potential. He may not be the ideal fit for the Pacers, but it hasn't mattered. They were just one win away from an NBA Championship last year despite Mathurin (who scored 23 points in Game 7, by the way) playing a pretty big role.
Additionally, it can't be understated how important the Arizona alum is to the Pacers because of his ability to create his own shot. He excels as an iso scorer, which helps take a lot of pressure off guys like Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. And if the offense is ever stagnant, having someone like him around can help Indiana find its groove again.
Trading Mathurin is a risky move for the Pacers. And while it could make sense under some circumstances, dealing him in exchange for Missi is not one of them.