According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, rival teams around the league are expected to show interest in three Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and Jarace Walker. While none of these players should outright be considered untouchables, all three have given the front office reasons to keep them past this summer, and trading even just one of them could be a big mistake.
After the devastating Achilles injury star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered in Indiana's Game 7 loss of the NBA Finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team's outlook for next season looks rather grim. Haliburton may be out for the entire season, and though a new contract for him seems likely, there is still a world that exists where long-time big man Myles Turner already played his last game for the Pacers. Still, Indiana has what it takes to compete next season anyway, and they still have a bright future. At this point, it would be in the team's best interest to keep as much of last season's core together as possible, and they cannot be tempted to trade Toppin, Mathurin, or Walker.
The Pacers must keep most of their roster around
It is safe to say a lot has to go Indiana's way for them to make it back to the NBA Finals next year, but if there is one team that can defy these odds, it is them. In order for them to remain competitive in the East next year, they will have to continue relying on most of the players who played a big role in their success this past season, and that includes Toppin and Mathurin.
In just his second season in Indiana, Toppin continued to prove how valuable he is to the team off the bench. He has developed into a well-rounded player, and he came up clutch numerous times in the Pacers' playoff run. The 27-year-old has proven to be a great fit in Indiana's system, and it will be incredibly difficult for them to find a legitimate replacement for him if they trade him this offseason.
As for Mathurin, though he had a streaky postseason, he also had plenty of big moments in the playoffs, including scoring 24 points on 6-for-14 shooting in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The Canadian native is eligible for a contract extension this summer, and the Pacers would be better off keeping him around for the long haul rather than moving on from him in the offseason.
Walker's case is a bit more interesting for the Pacers. In his first two years, he has shown flashes at times, but he has not gotten enough opportunities to develop due to his inconsistent playing time. Even so, he is still just 21 years old and did show improvements in his second season in the league. There is a lot to like about Walker as a player, and if the Pacers give up on him too soon, that could be a big mistake on their end.
The Pacers have some major decisions they need to make this offseason. However, it is clear that they would mostly benefit from keeping last season's team around as much as possible, even despite the interest of certain players from rival teams.