The Indiana Pacers are going to be a team to keep a close eye on with the 2022 NBA Draft right around the corner. Plenty of rumors have connected them in trade talks regarding talent like Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon. It’s clear that team president Kevin Pritchard wants to be aggressive this offseason and make some moves.
One of the biggest keys to a successful offseason for the Pacers this year will be the decision they make with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. It has been a long time since Indiana has been a high lottery team and they cannot afford to miss with this selection.
With just a week left to go before the NBA Draft, one NBA scout spoke to NBA Analysis Network and revealed what he thinks the Pacers should do with the pick.
“There are plenty of avenues that Indiana could choose to go, but there is one that I think would be a huge home run. If I were the Pacers, I wouldn’t think twice about pulling the trigger on Bennedict Mathurin. His long-term fit and short-term fit with Tyrese Haliburton would make Indiana a team to watch almost immediately in the Eastern Conference.”
Mathurin has been one of the prospects generating the most buzz in Indiana. The Pacers have been connected to other young talents like Keegan Murray and Johnny Davis, but Mathurin would certainly be a perfect complement to Haliburton. Jaden Ivey is another player the Pacers would love to snag, but they would likely have to move up to the No. 4 pick in a trade with the Sacramento Kings to get him.
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During the 2021-22 college basketball season with Arizona, Mathurin ended up averaging 17.7 points per game to go along with 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals. Mathurin shot the ball well at 45 percent overall and connected on 36.9 percent of his three-point attempts.
Being able to come in and grow with Haliburton would be a perfect fit for Mathurin himself. Indiana seems like one of the best possible fits for him in this NBA Draft.
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Pritchard and the Pacers would be getting a young talent with legitimate star potential. If Mathurin reaches his ceiling with Indiana, he could be an All-Star-caliber talent. This is definitely a no-brainer decision for the Pacers, although they may opt to go with another prospect.
Expect to hear a ton of rumors surrounding the Pacers as the NBA Draft draws closer. Bennedict Mathurin is a very serious candidate to be taken with the No. 6 overall pick.
