The Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors both have a number of players who are more than placeholders, having proven themselves capable and worthy of being part of their young core.
Should Pacers, Raptors Pursue Another Trade?
In Indiana, the charge starts with Tyrese Haliburton, who has transformed them into a playoff contender. Myles Turner is the longest-tenured Pacers player but also their defensive anchor. At least that’s what he is on the interior, as Aaron Nesmith is their top perimeter defender. Bench pieces like T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin cater to their preference for a fast pace offense.
Then there’s Pascal Siakam, the two-time All-Star that the Pacers were able to acquire from the Raptors last season.
In Toronto, RJ Barrett has become such a force that the Raptors arguably have two faces. He and Scottie Barnes are well-rounded franchise stars who could legitimately bring the organization back to their status as perennial playoff contenders. Gradey Dick and Jonathan Mogbo’s specialties are on either end of the spectrum but have been revelations this season.
Immanuel Quickley, who was part of the trade package that brought Barrett back home, is another core player.
Bennedict Mathurin On The Move?
One problem that both organizations face is that there still several players who haven’t cemented themselves cornerstones. For the Pacers, the most talented of them might be Bennedict Mathurin.
For all of Mathurin’s scoring instincts though, his tendency to take shots inside the arc but outside the restricted area runs counter to the Pacers’ analytics-heavy approach. Additionally, he tends to hold the ball a tick too long as he scans the defense. Last, but perhaps not least, he turns the ball over more frequently than half of their regular rotation.
At the defensive end, he’s made strides but he’s still a bit of a mystery.
That leaves Indiana with a slasher who has sticky hands and unreliable defense. The numbers for Mathurin —17.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on 39.0 percent shooting from three —are fine. The process is a bit of a different story, making him an under-the-radar trade candidate ahead of the deadline.
What Would A Trade Look Like?
Because Mathurin is on his rookie scale contract, any trade between the two teams will involve younger or less heralded players. However, a package of Ochai Agbaji, Bruno Fernando, and a 2026 first-round pick could truly move the Pacers.
Agbaji is already an exceptional 3-and-D wing. In fact, he’s Toronto’s best. With Nesmith currently rehabbing from a severe ankle injury, having him in the fold could help them stop the bleeding.
With Turner’s backups both going down to Achilles injuries, Fernando could benefit them as well. More of a hybrid big than true center, his energy and ability to stretch the floor don’t truly separate him from Enrique Freeman. His size and experience do though.
If the Raptors are also willing to send the Pacers the top-four protected first round pick that they received from them in the Siakam trade, there isn’t much Indiana could complain about.
The Aftermath
The success that Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic has had with Barrett, who shares both Mathurin’s strength and weaknesses, lends credence to the idea that he could bring the best out of the Quebec native. More importantly, Toronto also needs more players who can get the rim and have an attacking mentality. In fact, that was arguably their biggest weakness in their nail-biter against the New York Knicks.
Mathurin’s ultimate role will be dependent on Quickley and Barnes’s health. If either player is out, it isn’t hard to imagine him being placed in the starting lineup. However, it might be hard to move Dick out of the first unit due to his emergence as a shooting specialist. Regardless of whether he’s coming off the bench though, Mathurin will have one of the best player development coaches in the league helping him evolve.
If the Raptors draft or sign a 3-and-D wing that can replace Agbaji by next season, they’ll probably feel like they won this trade, hands down.
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