The Pacers and Pelicans have explored various trade scenarios that would send fourth-year guard Bennedict Mathurin to New Orleans and second-year center Yves Missi to Indiana, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Fischer classifies the Mathurin/Missi possibility as an “incomplete deal framework,” but confirms that New Orleans has some interest in Mathurin, whom the Pacers have made available as they seek a starting-caliber center. According to Fischer, Indiana is still exploring the market to see if it can extract a stronger return for the 23-year-old Canadian, who is headed for restricted free agency this summer.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints and Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal previously wrote about the Pelicans’ interest in Mathurin and discussed the possibility of a deal involving Missi. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype first reported earlier in the month that the Pacers had checked in on the Pelicans big man.
Mathurin is averaging a career-high 17.8 points in 32.2 minutes per game on .423/.366/.876 shooting during the final year of his rookie contract. He has been affected by a right thumb sprain and turf toe, which have limited him to 24 appearances so far and have limited his effectiveness when he has been available. Mathurin is in line for a new contract this offseason and the Pacers – who already have $177MM in guaranteed money on their books – may not be in position to give him the sort of deal he’ll be seeking.
As for Missi, he had a promising rookie year in which he averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game across 73 outings (67 starts). However, his playing time has dropped off this season after New Orleans drafted Derik Queen in June. The 21-year-old has averaged 5.5 PPG and 5.5 RPG in 18.8 MPG and has shifted to a reserve role.
Missi is earning $3.4MM in the second year of his rookie contract, while Mathurin has a cap hit of $9.2MM, so the Pelicans – who are just $2MM away from the luxury tax line and $3.6MM below the first apron – would need to add more salary to make a deal work.
The Pacers are hardly the only team eyeing Missi. The Bulls are also a suitor, Fischer confirms, noting that the big man appears to be generating the most interest of any of the Pelicans who are actually available. The Knicks are another team that has inquired about Missi, according to Scotto (Twitter video link).
This would be a mistake for both teams
would be solid move for indy. missi can take the myles turner role on the team for the next 2 years
I like this move. Mathurin hasn’t reached his potential, but he’s been given plenty of opportunities.
Funny how losing Myles Turner, now that he doesn’t seem “right”, worked out for Indy.
i wouldnt describe anything thats happened to the pacers in the last 7 months as “working out” for them.
myles had a great run, they only let him walk bec hali is out all year. i believe turner left his heart in indiana. he’s also just playing in the latter half of his career.
a 2026 pacers tm with nemhard, nesmith, siakam, hali, missi, and whoever they take with the #1 or #2 pick… the road back to the finals is right there.
Lol
I would hate to lose Benn but if they can’t afford him atleast get something in return for next years run. Throw in Hawkins and it just might work.
Don’t do it Pelicans. Develop Queen as a 6’9 PF
Go after Holland, try to trade everyone, draft Peterson and everything is golden
Would this make Herb more available via trade? That dude would fit right in on a contender.
Mathurin will be a starting SG in this L. I get Pacers not wanting to pay. But if they think they will go back to top of East with Haliburton back. They are sadly mistaken. Another one hit wonder like 2021 Hawks. Never to be heard from since. And now in full rebuild mode.
Pelicans don’t need to do this. They have good young talent. Their best move is moving Zion.
Haliburton owns the Knicks. Bing bong!
Bro, if you can’t see a lucky run to the NBA finals, I don’t know what that was. The way the team is constructed they are not going back for a deep run anytime soon. They may end about 2 or 3 years if they get a top pick from this year’s draft. They had a great coach and their coach out coached most of the Eastern conference teams especially tibs. He got out coached because the Knicks had a better team and that’s evident
They took OKC to seven games and very well could have finished the job without Haliburton going down. Anyone that says it was a lucky run doesn’t know ball.
It’s better than being a big market team with all the resources in the world but haven’t been relevant since the 70s.
It must be frustrating to know you can’t beat a team that’s a one hit wonder and smacked your team twice in the playoffs. Go cry in your beer and stop hating on other teams success.
No one crying here we aren’t GS fans. We respect success. Don’t mean we have to like it. But a yr run isn’t success. When You follow it up. With tanking for the #1 pick. Then shopping your best talent at SG. I’d like to say we’ll settle this in the playoffs. I doubt Knicks see Pacers in playoffs for next 4yrs ….
Root for Ping Pong Balls ….. lmao
I would say making the ECF one year then the Finals the next is a successful run. I would rather tank for a #1 pick than give up 5 draft picks and still be mediocre at best.
You won’t see the Pacers in the playoffs this year but it won’t take 4 years before they’re back on top again. Good luck with being a 2nd round exit this year.
You think you just replace a center. Especially with a rookie. Today top rookies and young talents are 19 yr olds yrs away from really contributing. And you think you can just find 18 pts a gm that fit a team..
Pacers are closer to blowing it up. Than Making a playoff run. Knicks will be contenders for next 5 yrs. This team is a YEAR n half old. We are just starting our run. Don’t go hide for next 5 yrs.
Let me teach you something ……. Any top 10 pick thus yr. Even a great talent top 5. Isn’t going to be ready to help for 4 yrs. How many more players won’t you be able to sign in that time. …….
I suggest you get “ Wile E. Coyote’s ACME company to deliver the TNT ……. Blow It Up .
Only thing he owns is a health plan.
A 10–35 team worst record in NBA …..😱😱😱😱
OOOooooooohhhhh Scaaaaaryyyyy
The knicks haven’t been to the NBA finals in this millennium.