2 Pacers named as possible trade targets for the Pistons

Bennedict Mathurin 

The Pistons had their chance at Mathurin in the 2022 Draft but took Jaden Ivey instead, with Mathurin going 6th right behind him. 

Many fans wanted Detroit to take Mathurin, who was a clearer fit with Cade Cunningham, but they chose Ivey and you can argue the results. Both players have shown flashes of stardom but were stunted in their second seasons in ill-defined roles. 

Mathurin played fewer games and minutes his second season, though his efficiency did improve. Ivey was up and down, looking like a future All-Star at times but unable to hit a shot at others. He wasn't done any favors by Monty Williams, who never figured out how to use him.

Even if the Pacers made Mathurin available, it’s difficult to find a trade that works for both teams, as the only matching contract the Pistons have is Paul Reed, which is not likely what they had in mind.

The Pacers would be  looking for win-now talent after making the Eastern Conference Finals last season, but who on the Pistons fills that role?  

Tobias Harris makes the most sense, but even if you lumped Mathurin and Walker together it doesn’t get you there salary-wise and that is too much to give up for Harris anyway. 

Isaiah Stewart could help them as a backup big but he makes twice as much as either Mathurin or Walker. If the Pacers had no interest in extending Mathurin, then flipping him for a cheaper long-term option like Stewart could make sense. 

There is also the chance for an Ivey-Mathurin swap, which could be beneficial for both teams. The Pistons get more of a spot-up shooter and the Pacers get another creator at guard.

All of this is a long way of saying that it would be tough for the Pistons to trade for Mathurin. The Pacers may have a more realistic option.