NBA Trade Deadline Watch: Mathurin’s Market Heats Up, Murray’s Future in Flux, and Portland Plays It Cool
We’re officially in the home stretch before the NBA trade deadline, and the buzz is picking up. While the league’s biggest names tend to dominate the headlines, it’s the rising stars and key rotation pieces that often swing the postseason picture. Let’s dive into three situations worth watching closely over the next week - starting with a name that’s quietly gaining serious traction on the trade market.
Bennedict Mathurin: Indiana’s Swing Piece?
The Indiana Pacers are making noise - not just on the court, but in the front office. Around the league, there’s growing belief that the Pacers are seriously entertaining offers for Bennedict Mathurin, and there’s a real chance he could be on the move before next Thursday’s deadline.
Mathurin has already drawn interest from the Pelicans, but they’re not alone. Multiple teams are circling the former lottery pick, and for good reason.
Despite missing time this season with a right thumb sprain and turf toe, Mathurin has shown he hasn’t lost a step. He returned to the lineup on Monday and is still producing at an impressive clip - averaging 17.7 points in just under 32 minutes per game.
That’s solid production, especially in a complementary role.
But the real story here might be financial. Indiana’s payroll for next season is already north of $177 million in guaranteed money, and extending Mathurin on a lucrative restricted free agent deal doesn’t seem to be a priority for the Pacers right now. That opens the door for a trade - either now, or in a sign-and-trade scenario this summer.
Bottom line: Mathurin is one of the more attainable young talents being discussed right now. He’s still on his rookie deal, he’s proven he can score, and he fits a modern offensive system. If Indiana decides to strike, expect a competitive bidding war.
Dejounte Murray: Interest Is There, But Timing Is Tricky
Over in New Orleans, there’s another name generating buzz - and it’s a bit more complicated. Dejounte Murray and Klutch Sports are reportedly open to a fresh start, but moving Murray isn’t exactly plug-and-play.
For starters, he’s still working his way back from an Achilles tear and hasn’t suited up this season. That alone makes it tough for any team to commit to his three-year, $94 million contract without knowing where his game stands post-injury. Add in the Pelicans’ increasingly crowded backcourt - Jordan Poole and Jeremiah Fears both arrived last offseason - and it’s not hard to see why the fit feels off.
That said, interest in Murray hasn’t disappeared. He’s a two-way guard with playoff experience and the kind of defensive chops that contenders crave. But until he’s back on the floor and showing he can move the way he used to, any potential deal likely stays on ice.
This feels like a "not now, maybe later" situation. The market may be there, but the timing just isn’t lining up.
Trail Blazers: Listening, Not Liquidating
And then there’s Portland - a team with some intriguing veterans but no apparent urgency to tear things down.
Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday have both been floated as theoretically available, but don’t expect a fire sale. From what’s being said around the league, the Blazers aren’t looking to offload talent just to reset. In fact, they’re only picking up the phone if the return package offers immediate on-court value.
Holiday, in particular, is the kind of player who could shift a playoff race - but only if the right team comes calling with a compelling offer. Portland’s stance seems clear: they’re not in sell mode. They’re in strategic mode.
So if the Blazers make a move, it won’t be to chase draft picks or clear cap space. It’ll be because someone made them an offer they couldn’t refuse - one that helps them win now, not years down the line.
Final Thoughts
With just days to go before the deadline, the NBA landscape is shifting fast. Bennedict Mathurin looks like one of the most realistic young names to actually get moved.
Dejounte Murray’s situation is one to monitor, but don’t hold your breath. And Portland?
They’re playing the long game - unless someone brings real value to the table.
This is the time of year when contenders sharpen their rosters and rebuilders look to the future. And right now, there’s no shortage of teams trying to figure out which side of that line they’re on.