The Indiana Pacers will slide Andrew Nembhard over to the point guard role next season, and that alone may be enough to save Bennedict Mathurin's future with the team.
While Nembhard is the obvious choice for which Pacer will benefit the most from this lineup change, Mathurin is a close second. Heading into next season, Mathurin's future in Indiana is up in the air. Nobody is denying his talent. However, his long-term fit with the team is questionable, and it may be the reason the Pacers [do not sign him to a new deal](https://8points9seconds.com/indiana-pacers-warriors-screwed-bennedict-mathurin-extension-talks) this summer despite being eligible for one. Furthermore, a trade involving the Arizona alum before the start of the 2026-27 season, whether it be before next year's trade deadline or via a sign-and-trade next summer, is a very real possibility.
With a breakout year next year, showcasing exactly what he can provide at a high level full-time, Mathurin will establish himself as a long-term contributor for the Pacers. Considering that Indiana is looking to be in title contention for many years, this would be huge for both him and the team. Luckily for them, Mathurin has a lot going his way ahead of what may be the most important season of his career.
Andrew Nembhard can unlock Bennedict Mathurin's potential
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With Nembhard officially taking over for Tyrese Haliburton, who will miss next season with an Achilles injury, the expectation is that [Mathurin will share the backcourt with him](https://8points9seconds.com/pacers-have-just-granted-bennedict-mathurin-his-ultimate-wish) in the starting lineup. This is great news for him as he looks to solidify his impact in Indiana.
One of the main reasons Mathurin's future with the Pacers is up in the air is because it remains unknown if he can truly work in Rick Carlisle's system. The 23-year-old has immense talent and still has a lot of untapped potential. However, his bread-and-butter is his iso scoring ability. Given that the Pacers rely heavily on a fast-paced offense with a lot of ball movement, Mathurin's fit is questionable.
Additionally, while he is an incredibly gifted scorer, Mathurin does not provide much value elsewhere, particularly on defense, though he has improved a lot throughout his NBA career so far. Because of this, it may be difficult for Indiana to commit to him long-term, especially if it puts them closer to the luxury tax.
While there are not many benefits to swapping Haliburton for Nembhard in the starting lineup, this will at least give the Pacers a different dynamic on offense--one that will focus more on a more traditional half-court offense. This should give Mathurin a chance to excel as the pace will be much slower, and the Pacers may even rely on him a bit more to do his thing as a result.
There are pros and cons to potentially keeping the Canadian native around for the long haul. However, he provides a unique skillset and a lot of intrigue. Ahead of what could be a gap year for the Pacers, there will be plenty of players looking to take that next step and showcase more of what they can do. This especially includes Mathurin, whose play next season will determine the rest of his career in the league.