The Pacers and Pelicans have explored various trade scenarios that would send fourth-year guard Bennedict Mathurin to New Orleans and second-year center Yves Missi to Indiana, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Fischer classifies the Mathurin/Missi possibility as an “incomplete deal framework,” but confirms that New Orleans has some interest in Mathurin, whom the Pacers have made available as they seek a starting-caliber center. According to Fischer, Indiana is still exploring the market to see if it can extract a stronger return for the 23-year-old Canadian, who is headed for restricted free agency this summer.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints and Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal previously wrote about the Pelicans’ interest in Mathurin and discussed the possibility of a deal involving Missi. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype first reported earlier in the month that the Pacers had checked in on the Pelicans big man.
Mathurin is averaging a career-high 17.8 points in 32.2 minutes per game on .423/.366/.876 shooting during the final year of his rookie contract. He has been affected by a right thumb sprain and turf toe, which have limited him to 24 appearances so far and have limited his effectiveness when he has been available. Mathurin is in line for a new contract this offseason and the Pacers – who already have $177MM in guaranteed money on their books – may not be in position to give him the sort of deal he’ll be seeking.
As for Missi, he had a promising rookie year in which he averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game across 73 outings (67 starts). However, his playing time has dropped off this season after New Orleans drafted Derik Queen in June. The 21-year-old has averaged 5.5 PPG and 5.5 RPG in 18.8 MPG and has shifted to a reserve role.
Missi is earning $3.4MM in the second year of his rookie contract, while Mathurin has a cap hit of $9.2MM, so the Pelicans – who are just $2MM away from the luxury tax line and $3.6MM below the first apron – would need to add more salary to make a deal work.
The Pacers are hardly the only team eyeing Missi. The Bulls are also a suitor, Fischer confirms, noting that the big man appears to be generating the most interest of any of the Pelicans who are actually available. The Knicks are another team that has inquired about Missi, according to Scotto (Twitter video link).