It’s looking like the Pacers are not signing Bennedict Mathurin to a contract extension before the season.
Indiana Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin (00).
Scott Agness of the Fieldhouse Files does not expect the Indiana Pacers to sign Bennedict Mathurin to a contract extension this summer, meaning he is likely headed for restricted free agency in 2026 (h/t The Athletic NBA Daily).
“I would not expect [Mathurin] to get an extension before the season,” Agness said. “I think both sides, it’s probably better off for them to play it in, because if you’re Benn, you’re saying ‘hey look, I’m probably not getting a max right now. I think in time, with more of a workload, being a regular starter, I can show my worth, I can show that value.’ And, the Pacers, in restricted free agency, they want to reward a player if they can earn it. They don’t want to give it ahead of time.”
The Canadian native is eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension. However, it seems that the Pacers do not want to give it to him. Instead, they will likely see how next season plays out before making any major decisions on Mathurin.
Like Agness points out, this could be a good move for both sides. It will give Mathurin a chance to showcase what he brings to the table in an expanded role, and Indiana will get another good look at him before committing to anything for the long run. There is a lot to like about Mathurin’s game, but there are genuine concerns about his long-term fit with the Pacers. If he can have a breakout season next year, the team may have no choice but to keep him around for the long haul.
Bennedict Mathurin should be a long-term Pacers contributor
Nobody is denying that Mathurin is talented. He is an exceptional iso scorer and has developed into a more well-rounded player throughout his NBA career so far. However, some would call him a bit of a “ball-stopper” as he is not much of a team-oriented guy offensively. This does not mesh well with how Indiana looks to play offense, and there is also concern that staying with the team could lower the 23-year-old’s ceiling.
Despite all of this, Mathurin has stepped up numerous times for the Pacers, and he should be able to make an impact with the team for a long time.
Mathurin had multiple big moments during Indiana’s recent playoff run, including some impressive performances in the NBA Finals. He always played hard, and he showed the Pacers exactly what they were missing during his absence in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Mathurin can be a microwave and a sparkplug for this team. Whether it is in a starting or bench role remains to be seen. Regardless. Mathurin has too much talent for the team to move on from him. At least not without giving him a legitimate opportunity to showcase his talents.
Fortunately for the Arizona alum, it seems that he will get that exact opportunity next season. With Tyrese Haliburton on the shelf for the whole year, the Pacers are expected to slide Andrew Nembhard over to point guard full-time. Now, they must find the right player who can complement Nembhard’s game in the backcourt. Early on, Mathurin is considered the favorite to be that guy.
There is still a lot of time left before the start of next season, and there is even more time before Mathurin hits restricted free agency. Regardless, this will be worth monitoring throughout the year as next season could be do-or-die for Mathurin’s career with the Pacers.
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