The Indiana Pacers will have a few decisions to make that could impact the long-term future of the team this offseason. While the most obvious decision is about Myles Turner and his impending free agency, Pacers fans should also keep an eye on Bennedict Mathurin.
Mathurin is eligible for a contract extension this summer. With how good of a season he has had so far, it is safe to assume the Pacers are going to have an expensive decision to make on Mathurin.
Given how expensive the Pacers are about to be (especially if they re-sign Turner in the offseason), opting to trade Mathurin instead of extending him is a realistic option. However, if the Pacers truly want to compete for a title, they only have one real solution--do not move on from Mathurin.
The Pacers must sign Bennedict Mathurin to a contract extension
This season, the Canadian native is averaging 16.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He is also shooting 47.5% from the field and 35.5% from the three-point line. After Aaron Nesmith suffered an ankle injury early in the season, Mathurin was forced into a larger role that he mostly lived up to. Though he can still be streaky at times, it is clear that Mathurin provides a lot of value on the court and is important to the team's success.
What might be most intriguing about Mathurin's season is his development as an overall player. He is no longer just a scorer and has developed into a team-first player. Back in January, head coach Rick Carlisle spoke highly of Mathurin's growth, saying he is playing "a winning brand of basketball."
"This is a winning brand of basketball that he's playing now," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "You know? He's learned some things. He's realized some things. He and I have spent a lot of time talking about it and watching things. If he's willing to run and take open shots, avoid the temptation to drive into crowds and try to draw fouls and play tough, hard-nosed defense, that's a winning formula for a young player."
It is also easy to forget that Mathurin is just 22 years old and still has a lot of untapped potential. With the Pacers, the sky is the limit for Mathurin. He plays very well in their system and has bought into his role. Furthermore, he has already proven he can make an impact regardless of whether he is in the starting lineup or coming off the bench.
For the Pacers to be legitimate title contenders, they must be willing to open up their wallets. The roster, as currently constructed, shows a lot of promise as a potential championship team. With more development and natural progression, things should only continue to look up for the Pacers. Choosing not to spend is a decision that will only hurt the Pacers' odds at a title.
As it stands, there are no reasons to think the Pacers will not keep Mathurin around for the long run. By all means, this is the right call. Even though things will get expensive soon, the Pacers must sign Mathurin to an extension once he is eligible in the offseason.