Bennedict Mathurin has had an up-and-down tenure with the Indiana Pacers so far, and how he plays against the New York Knicks [in the conference finals](https://8points9seconds.com/major-playoff-curse-just-guaranteed-nba-finals-appearance-pacers) could determine what his future with the team looks like. Mathurin is eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension this summer. However, the Pacers are likely going to re-sign Myles Turner as a free agent in the offseason, and it will be difficult for the team to sign both players to new contracts without paying the luxury tax.
While he is mostly a positive asset, the Pacers have already [proven they can be successful without](https://8points9seconds.com/bennedict-mathurin-created-strange-pacers-dilemma-that-leaves-future-limbo) Mathurin. They made it all the way to the conference finals last year while he was out with a shoulder injury, and they have had success in this postseason as well, even when the third-year pro struggles.
The Pacers will have some big decisions to make this offseason, and that includes determining what is next for Mathurin. If he struggles against New York, it is possible the Canadian native's days in Indiana are numbered.
There remains concerns about Bennedict Mathurin's fit with the Pacers
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There is a lot to like about Mathurin's game. He is a fantastic iso player and excels as a bench scorer. Additionally, he can provide a spark on the court and has improved his all-around game throughout his NBA career. However, Mathurin's long-term fit in Indiana's system was questioned before the season began, and that mostly holds true today.
Despite his talent and overall skill level, Mathurin does not completely mesh well in the Pacers' system. The Pacers rely heavily on ball movement, which is what makes them such a high-powered offense. However, because his bread and butter is his iso scoring, the ball movement is less than ideal when Mathurin is in the game. Furthermore, though he has gotten better, the Arizona alum is still not a good enough defender.
Mathurin provides a lot of value on the court and still has potential, but it is fair to say he may not maximize his potential with the Pacers. As the team prepares to make a big decision regarding his next contract in the summer, it may be best for them to ship him out instead in a move that could be beneficial for all sides. However, if Mathurin plays well against the Knicks and continues to prove that he is too valuable for the team to move on from him, the Pacers will have no choice but to give him a new deal and keep him around for the long haul.