Bennedict Mathurin, the Quebecois player, has been traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a significant transaction on Thursday. Alongside the talented guard, the Pacers also sent center Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown.
Mathurin is enjoying the best season of his career, averaging 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Earning $9 million this season, the trade might not have come as a complete surprise for him, especially after he was benched for the Pacers’ recent matchup against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
The Indiana team, which reached the NBA Finals last year only to lose in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder, is struggling this season, sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a mere 13 victories. On the flip side, the Clippers find themselves in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference. The addition of Mathurin and Jackson is expected to enhance their roster depth, which could prove crucial as they strive for postseason success.
This trade marks an intriguing shift for both franchises, with Indiana looking to rebuild and gain draft assets while Los Angeles hopes to bolster its lineup with fresh talent.