Bennedict Mathurin to enter training camp as starter for Indiana Pacers
Bennedict Mathurin came off the bench often for the Indiana Pacers during his rookie season. The 2022 sixth overall pick made more sense with bench groups — he could handle the ball more often, he could punish weaker defenders, and it made the Pacers rotation gel. He still played 28.5 minutes per game.
His scoring and impact with second units led to him receiving multiple votes for Sixth Man of the Year. But down the stretch of the campaign, Indiana explored what Mathurin looked like within the starting five. The rookie was in the opening lineup for the Pacers last 11 games, which was the majority of his 17 starts that came last season.
Those moments allowed Mathurin to get a taste of starting games. And that could happen once again this season. With Buddy Hield's future in doubt and Mathurin ready for more, he has a good chance to be a starter this season.
Hield and Bruce Brown also have a case to open games on the wing, but Mathurin will enter training camp as one of the backcourt starters according to general manager Chad Buchanan.
"I think training camp will determine that. But I think going into right now, that's probably where he's going to begin. It's up for grabs once we get on the court," Buchanan said of Mathurin being a starter this season. There will be many position battles in camp, but on day one, the now second-year guard will be in the first group. He will have to earn the spot heading into the season.
"I feel comfortable saying Tyrese will probably start. I think Myles will probably start. I think the rest will be determined over the next month or so," Buchanan added. Much will be discovered about Indiana's rotation in the next few weeks.
For Mathurin, it is a deserved promotion. He averaged nearly 17 points per game in year one and did so on nearly league-average efficiency. His ability to get to the foul line is already among the best in the association.
His defense, shooting, and vision came and went, but the toughness and confidence he showed has the Pacers high on him going into his second season. Mathurin will look to prove that he is a key part of Indiana's core this year.
The Pacers need to find out if Mathurin can be a long-term starter with the franchise. There is no shame in being a super sixth-man — Brown just was critical in the NBA Finals in that exact role — but Mathurin has the potential to be much more than that. The faster that the blue and gold can identify the young guard's best role, the better.
The team also has to figure out how well Mathurin fits with All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton. Those two could be the future of the franchise, and Haliburton's has already established himself as one of the premier talents in the league.
Last season, Indiana had a +1.0 net rating with both guards on the court. Their offense was unbelievable and scored more than 120 points per 100 possessions, but their defense was poor. That said, with under 1,000 total minutes on the court together, there may be some noise in the numbers.
Nothing about their play styles seems to overlap, but better shooting or passing from Mathurin would make the two complementary. They would add to each other's strengths, and finding out how well they fit together is important this season.
That reason, combined with his clear talent, makes starting Mathurin the right decision by the Pacers. It could be the best choice in the short and long term. The young guard will have to earn his spot in training camp, but he's got an early lead.
- Report: Indiana Pacers start talks on a Buddy Hield trade after extension discussion breaks down. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan addresses the future of guard Buddy Hield. CLICK HERE.
- Competitive training camp coming for Indiana Pacers players looking for minutes and opportunity. CLICK HERE.
- Pacers guard-to-be Darius McGhee discusses what makes Andrew Nembhard so good on the Locked On Pacers podcast. CLICK HERE.
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