Benedict Maturin emerges as a key trade piece to help the Pacers

As it is The NBA trade market is starting to take shapethe Indiana Pacers to have has signaled his willingness to part with a key young striker as they look for help in the frontcourt. According to a recent report, running back Benedict Maturin has emerged as a central trade chip as Indiana evaluates options to address its biggest positional needs.

During a recent episode of Clutch Scoops, ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel said the Pacers have made their intentions clear regarding Maturin’s availability.

“They’ve made it abundantly clear that Benedict Maturin is currently available in trade talks. They’re going to use him to probably make a significant upgrade to their frontcourt before the trade deadline because they don’t want to pay Maturin a nine-figure deal and what kind of big man are they going to go out and get? Because they’re going to find someone who is just like Krista Porz by the traditional description or would they fit more into Krista Turner? A big man, like Walker Kessler or Daniel Gafford who can play in scenarios pick and roll.”

Maturin, 23, is in his fourth NBA season after being selected No. 6 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft and is enjoying a career year amid Tyrese Halliburton’s absence as he recovers from an Achilles tear suffered during the NBA Finals. Maturin is averaging 20.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three-point range in 15 appearances, playing 32.6 minutes per game. Despite his production, the Pacers have struggled to a 6–20 start, most recently falling 108–89 to the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Latest NBA data from @TomerAzarli and @BrettSiegelNBA — Clutch Scoops 18.12.2025 https://t.co/bVLHveuV0g

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 18, 2025

The Pacers are weighing Benedict Maturin’s upcoming payout against potential frontcourt targets

Maturin is in the final year of his four-year, $29.9 million rookie contract and is making $9.1 million this season. He will become a restricted free agent next summer, a looming financial decision that has affected Indiana’s willingness to explore trade scenarios.

Among the frontcourt targets Zigel mentions is Kristaps Porzingis. The 30-year-old big man is averaging 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range in 13 games, playing 25.9 minutes per game. Porzingis is in the final season of a two-year, $60 million contract and is making $30.7 million this season before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Indiana has also been linked to Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford as a more traditional interior option. Gafford, 27, is averaging 8.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 61 percent from the field in 16 games and 13 starts, playing 22.9 minutes per game. He signed a three-year, $54.2 million contract with Dallas last offseason, and is making $17.2 million this season.

While Walker Kessler has also been mentioned as a theoretical fit, the 24-year-old Utah Jazz center recently suffered a season-ending torn labrum in his left shoulder. Before the injury, Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, three assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 70.3 percent from the field in five appearances.

For now, the Pacers will continue to explore the trade landscape by following the offseason departure of Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks. Indiana will conclude its two-game stretch with a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Finals vs New York Knicks (18–7), who recently won the NBA Cup. The Pacers then embark on a two-game road trip to face the New Orleans Pelicans (5–22) on Saturday and the Boston Celtics (15–11) next Monday.