1. Bennedict Mathurin extension: when and how much?
Mathurin’s contractual position
Mathurin, the 2022 sixth overall pick, is finishing year 3 of his rookie deal. The Pacers picked up his fourth‑year option covering 2025‑26 in October 2024 (≈ $9.1 M) .
His rookie-scale extension, worth roughly 25% of the cap, becomes available this October (when entering his fourth year), meaning the payout won’t actually count on the books until 2026‑27 .
Team strategy and timing
GM Chad Buchanan has signaled that there’s no imminent rush to extend Mathurin, noting that his roster role is still being determined and that he’ll face competition at training camp from players like Ben Sheppard, Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, and Johnny Furphy .
The team is evaluating fit and depth before committing long‑term—a cautious approach given Mathurin’s development as a scorer who’s still maturing in other areas.
Player evaluation: upside vs. risk
At 22, Mathurin has shown considerable offensive growth—notably stepping up during the NBA Finals, despite playing limited minutes in the playoffs (17.5 mpg, 11.0 ppg) .
Reddit consensus among Pacers fans emphasizes his improved cutting, free‑throw rate, finishing, and defensive awareness—though many acknowledge his decision-making and consistency remain below elite level .
Financial projections and luxury‑tax impact
Fans and analysts are debating whether Mathurin’s new deal (~$25 M/year) would push the team into luxury tax territory. Some believe it would; others clarify his extension won’t count on cap books until 2026‑27, and even with the placeholder his salary structure keeps the Pacers under projected tax line for 2025‑26 .
Meanwhile, ownership has already committed to major contracts—Pascal Siakam’s ~$189M extension and acquiring him under tax-level conditions—suggesting the organization is willing to spend if it deems the roster legitimately in contention .
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2. Buyers & sellers at the trade deadline: Mathurin’s trade value
During mid-season, numerous reports surfaced that nearly every expected trade‑deadline buyer was monitoring Mathurin. Teams in need of scoring wings saw him as a valuable asset .
Why interest was high
Mathurin’s Finals run and scoring bursts (including 38 points vs. Knicks, career-high playoff bursts) elevated his profile .
Despite coming off the bench in the playoffs, he delivered substantial impact in limited minutes—making him appealing for contenders needing scoring depth. Reports indicated that teams were calling around to gauge availability around the trade deadline .
What it suggests
The widespread interest reinforced his trade value and indicated that the Pacers had real leverage in trade talks. If they receive compelling offers, Sterne might consider moving him.
But internal uncertainty around his next contract and role may have handled the team’s decision-making: better to see how next season plays out before committing long-term or trading him prematurely.
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3. Ben Sheppard: his role and future
Contract situation
Sheppard, along with Jarace Walker and Mathurin, had his rookie team option exercised in October 2024—locking him in for 2025‑26 at roughly $2.8 M .
Fit and value within the rotation
He saw rotation minutes as a rookie, with some starts; his role in year two is expected to increase. Observers noted his fit as a glue player who “fits in better” with overall team concept, even if he lacks Mathurin’s ceiling .
With competition for wing minutes fierce next camp, Sheppard brings defensive versatility and efficient shooting—a strong baseline option for rotational depth.
Upside vs comparison with Mathurin
Fans concede that while Sheppard does the things the team needs—defense, spacing, energy—he doesn’t match Mathurin’s raw upside. Comments often note:
> “Ben Sheppard ‘fits in better’ but he’s nowhere close to the player Mathurin is.”
The scenario sets up a contrast: Sheppard as reliable glue piece, Mathurin as high‑ceiling but still developing star.
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4. Summary & projected outlook for 2025‑26
Mathurin’s next steps
In training camp, Mathurin will compete with Sheppard, Nesmith, Walker, Furphy for starting wing minutes. Strengthening in defense, consistency, and fitting into the ball‑movement system remains key.
His extension talks are likely to wait until post‑season evaluation, with any new contract beginning in 2026‑27, and estimated around $25–27M per year—a commitment the Pacers’ ownership will weigh carefully against luxury‑tax considerations .
Role of Sheppard and rotation dynamics
Sheppard remains a rotation secure for now, offering caps‑friendly impact guard/wing depth. His value may increase if he carves a niche defensively or as a secondary scorer.
Jarace Walker also factors into wing depth. Coaches’ comments suggest “wings” will be evaluated more holistically (ball‑handling, shooting, defense) rather than strict traditional roles .
Trade market implications
Mathurin’s popularity among potential buyers at the deadline demonstrated his trade fodder value. If Indiana chose to rebuild or reallocate assets, he’d be a centerpiece.
Yet the cautious tone from the front office suggests they’re more inclined to keep him—giving him an opportunity to prove long-term fit before deciding.
Financial picture for 2025‑26
Cap figures:
Haliburton is out next year with Achilles injury.
Siakam is on a max face, Nesmith ~$11M, Walker $19M or $2.3M first year?), Sheppard & options ~$5M, placeholder for rookie ~$5M, minimum holds ~$6M.
That sums to ~152M, well under projected luxury tax (~187M) even if placeholder for Mathurin were active. Critics arguing an incentive to avoid the tax may be overstating the effect .
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5. Fan and media perspectives
On Reddit and fan forums
Many fans support locking up Mathurin now with a ~4‑year, $80‑100M extension, arguing he can average 20 ppg, 6 rpg reliably. But others caution he needs another season to prove consistency before commanding top dollar .
Several contributors argue that the belief ownership won’t pay luxury tax is flawed—pointing to the Siakam deal and franchise willingness to spend if they think championship window is open .
Media views
Analysts echo that the fourth-year option was a necessary default, but a long-term extension should wait until near the October window to properly align with roster clarity and performance assessment .
Collective consensus: patience now could yield better negotiation leverage and clearer clarity on fit and upside.
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Full-circle outlook: “mailbag takeaways”
Topic Key Headlines
Mathurin extension Option exercised; extension available Oct 2025; contract counts from 2026‑27
Training camp battle Mathurin, Sheppard, Nesmith, Walker, Furphy compete for starting wing minutes
Trade interest High buyer interest at deadline—teams tracking him across league
Sheppard’s role Reliable rotation piece; moderate salary; fits system better; lower ceiling
Luxury‑tax debate Extensions won’t hit cap till later; current roster likely below tax line
Fan sentiment Mixed between locking up Mathurin now or waiting another year for evaluation
Strategy Patience favored: evaluate development and role fit before long-term commitment
Conclusion
Mailbag part 1 establishes a cautious yet calculated path for the Pacers:
1. Mathurin—his fourth-year option has been exercised, but the team is taking time before extending him fully. His place in the rotation is not a lock; training camp will be critical.
2. Sheppard—offers consistent production at a modest cost, and will be central to wing depth, but isn’t seen as a long-term star.
3. Trade value—Mathurin drew league-wide interest in mid-season, showing executives view him as a movable asset if the team decides to tilt in that direction.
4. Financials—any extension money won’t count against the books until 2026‑27, keeping flexibility in 2025‑26. Past spending (Siakam, Haliburton decision‑making) indicates potential willingness to exceed tax if belief in contention exists.
5. Strategy—overall, the front office appears focused on fitting roles, competitive flexibility, and avoiding locking into long-term contracts before certifying player fit.
Next summer (2026) should deliver clarity: either Mathurin proves he’s worthy and earns a big deal; or the Pacers pivot, trade him, and redirect resources. Until then, development and internal competition will shape his trajectory and the broader roster move.
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