With the NBA trade deadline just over a week away, the Indiana Pacers are emerging as one of the more active teams on the phones - and it looks like Bennedict Mathurin might be at the center of it all.
According to league chatter, Indiana has been engaged in talks with multiple teams about the fourth-year wing, and there’s growing momentum suggesting Mathurin could be on the move before next Thursday’s deadline. The Pacers had previously discussed a potential deal with the Pelicans, but New Orleans isn’t the only team keeping tabs on the 23-year-old.
Mathurin’s season has been interrupted by a right thumb sprain and turf toe, limiting him to just 25 games so far. But he returned to the floor on Monday and has been productive when healthy, averaging 17.7 points in 31.8 minutes per game. That’s a solid scoring clip, especially for a player still on his rookie deal.
And that’s part of the equation here: Mathurin is in the final year of that rookie contract, and Indiana’s cap sheet is already projected to exceed $177 million in guaranteed money next season. That makes it unlikely they’ll commit to a long-term, big-money extension for Mathurin in restricted free agency. If he’s not dealt by the deadline, he becomes a prime sign-and-trade candidate this summer - but the Pacers may prefer to act now rather than risk losing leverage later.
Around the League: Trade Rumors Heating Up
Elsewhere, the Pelicans are also surfacing in trade buzz, but this time it’s about one of their own. There’s a growing sense that guard Dejounte Murray and his reps at Klutch Sports may be open to a fresh start.
The Pelicans’ backcourt has gotten more crowded since last offseason, with the additions of Jordan Poole and rookie Jeremiah Fears. That’s left Murray’s role a bit murky - and it doesn’t help that he’s still recovering from an Achilles tear and hasn’t suited up yet this season.
Moving Murray and his three-year, $94 million contract won’t be simple, especially given his current injury status. But it’s a situation to watch closely if the right opportunity presents itself.
Meanwhile, down in San Antonio, the Spurs are fielding interest in a couple of veteran pieces. Forward Jeremy Sochan has been mentioned in talks, but big man Kelly Olynyk is also considered a trade chip.
Packaging Sochan and Olynyk together would give the Spurs roughly $20.5 million in expiring salary to work with - a useful tool for matching contracts in a larger deal. San Antonio’s front office has the flexibility and cap space to get creative, and they’ve shown a willingness to explore multi-team deals in the past.
Portland’s Position: Not Quite Sellers
In Portland, the Trail Blazers are walking a fine line. While names like Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday have come up in trade discussions, the Blazers don’t see themselves as full-blown sellers.
Holiday, in particular, is someone they’d only consider moving if the return clearly boosts their short-term outlook. Portland’s not looking to hit the reset button - they’re still aiming to build around a competitive core.
Denver’s Cap Maneuvering and Peyton Watson Watch
The defending champion Nuggets are expected to make a minor move before the deadline, mostly to trim about $400,000 and slide under the luxury tax threshold. It’s a small number, but avoiding the repeater tax can have big implications down the line. Denver believes it can get under the line without sacrificing a rotation player - but that hasn’t stopped other teams from sniffing around.
One name drawing interest: Peyton Watson. The 21-year-old wing has shown flashes of two-way potential, and with restricted free agency looming this summer, teams with cap space - including the Lakers - are reportedly preparing to make a run at him. Denver has a deep roster, but keeping everyone long-term won’t be easy, and Watson could become a cap casualty if the right offer comes along.
Multi-Team Trades on the Horizon?
As the deadline approaches, front offices around the league are bracing for some complex transactions. Several teams - namely the Nets, Hornets, and Jazz - have made it clear they’re open to helping facilitate multi-team deals.
These franchises are willing to take on salary or absorb contracts to help grease the wheels on bigger trades. That kind of flexibility could be a game-changer in a market where cap constraints are tighter than ever.
Bottom line: We’re entering the final stretch before the deadline, and the groundwork is being laid for a flurry of moves. Whether it’s Mathurin finding a new home, Murray getting a fresh start, or the Nuggets making a subtle cap play, the next eight days could reshape more than a few rosters - and maybe even shift the balance of power heading into the postseason.