Newest Bennedict Mathurin update may save his Pacers career

The Indiana Pacers drafted Bennedict Mathurin with the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Since then, the Canadian native has done nothing but impress during his time with the team.

His rookie season, Mathurin averaged 16.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. This campaign ended with him finishing eighth in Sixth Man of the Year voting and fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.

Last season was another solid run for Mathurin, who averaged 14.5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game before suffering a season-ending labrum injury in March.

It is clear that Mathurin is talented, and at just 22 years old, he has a lot of potential. However, this does not make him a guarantee to stay with the Pacers for the long run. It is quite the opposite, in fact.

Mathurin is a fantastic player, but his skillset does not benefit the Pacers as much as it would other teams. Furthermore, there has been some question about what his role with the team will be if he remains with the Pacers. However, in a recent press conference, Pacers GM Chad Buchanan provided some major context regarding Mathurin's outlook with the team.

Chad Buchanan suggests Bennedict Mathurin may start for the Pacers

In two seasons with the Pacers, Mathurin has started 36 of his 137 games played in the NBA. Last season, he started the first 12 games of the season for the team at small forward before the team eventually moved to Aaron Nesmith full-time.

A big reason for this decision was Nesmith's ability to contribute to the team on the defensive end, which is essential for the Pacers, who finished as one of the NBA's worst defensive teams last season.

After the Pacers made an unlikely conference finals run without Mathurin last season, it seemed like a given they would commit to Nesmith full-time and move on from the soon-to-be third-year player. However, according to Buchanan, Mathurin's role will not be determined until the start of training camp.

"He wants to feel like he's contributing," Buchanan said. "I think he recognizes, 'Hey, we found a group last year that plays well together.' He's got to figure, 'Where do I fit into that group. Is it trying to fit in as a starter? Is it being a primary scorer off the bench? What is that role?' I think a lot of that is determined in training camp. ... His role is to be determined, and it's in his hands."

It seems that Mathurin, who has two years remaining on his rookie deal, is still valued within the Pacers organization. If he can work his way back into the starting lineup and remind everybody why he was drafted sixth overall in 2022, this development may be what saves Mathurin's career as a Pacer.