The Indiana Pacers are reportedly in the market for a center upgrade - and on the surface, that makes sense. It’s a position that’s been flagged as a long-term need, and with the trade deadline creeping closer, the front office is clearly exploring its options.
But here’s the thing: if upgrading at center means parting ways with Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana needs to think twice. Actually, they need to think a few more times after that.
Let’s start with the name that’s been floated - Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks. According to reports, the Pacers have interest in Gafford, and it’s easy to see why. He’s a physical presence in the paint, brings solid rim protection, rebounds well, and gives you a legitimate lob threat - especially intriguing when you consider what that could look like next to Tyrese Haliburton once he’s back in the lineup.
On paper, Gafford fits the mold of what Indiana needs. But in reality?
He’s not the kind of upgrade that justifies shipping out Mathurin - potentially along with Jarace Walker and draft picks - to make it happen. That’s a steep price, and Gafford, while valuable, doesn’t move the needle enough to warrant that kind of return.
Now, let’s be clear: Mathurin isn’t untouchable. He’s heading into restricted free agency, and there are still valid questions about his long-term fit in Rick Carlisle’s system.
If the right deal came along - one that truly elevates this team’s ceiling - Indiana would have to consider it. But that deal has to be a home run, not a base hit.
Among the other centers who’ve been linked to Indiana, one name stands out: Ivica Zubac. The Pacers reportedly have interest in the Clippers’ big man, and that’s a conversation worth having.
Zubac is a rock-solid defender, an elite rebounder, and he’s coming off a season where he averaged a career-best 16.8 points per game. He’s not flashy, but he’s consistent - and he brings the kind of interior presence that could anchor Indiana’s defense while complementing their up-tempo offense.
If Zubac is truly available - and that’s a big “if” - then a Mathurin-for-Zubac deal might be worth exploring. But based on current reports, the Clippers aren’t exactly eager to part ways with their starting center.
In fact, they’ve reportedly shut down conversations around Zubac, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard. Despite a rough 6-18 start to the season, LA seems more focused on adding talent than selling off key pieces.
Unless the Pacers are willing to throw in multiple first-round picks - which would be a steep price - it’s hard to see that door opening.
So where does that leave Indiana? Back where they started, really - with a promising young scorer in Mathurin who’s still developing but already showing signs of taking a leap.
Through 15 games this season, Mathurin is averaging 20.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He’s shooting 44.6% from the field and a scorching 41.1% from three. More than just the raw numbers, he’s showing growth in areas that matter - moving the ball more, buying in defensively, and playing with a maturity that suggests he’s starting to understand what it takes to win at the NBA level.
At 23, he still has time to figure out exactly what his role will be long-term. And while he may not be a perfect fit yet, the upside is hard to ignore. He gives Indiana a dynamic scoring option on the wing, and in a league where perimeter firepower is king, that’s not something you give away lightly - especially not for a marginal upgrade at center.
The Pacers are a team on the rise. With Haliburton leading the charge, a strong supporting cast, and a front office that’s clearly not afraid to make moves, they’re positioning themselves to be a serious player in the East over the next few years. But if they want to stay on that trajectory, they need to be smart with their assets.
Mathurin may not be untouchable, but he’s close. Unless the right deal presents itself - and right now, it doesn’t look like it has - Indiana should hold onto their young wing, keep developing him, and revisit the center conversation when the price makes more sense.