New Orleans Pelicans fans got a frustrating update ahead of the February 5th trade deadline, as NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Thursday that the front office was open to trading both Yves Missi and Jordan Hawkins. However, following this report from Fischer, ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel provided a silver lining that fans may like the sound of.
The Indiana Pacers continue to search the market for potential frontcourt upgrades, and they continue to draw interest from several teams in Bennedict Mathurin, one of which is the New Orleans Pelicans, league sources told @ClutchPoints.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) January 15, 2026
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Going back to Fischer's report, the one team he mentioned as having interest in Missi was the Indiana Pacers. That makes it easy to connect the dots and wonder if a deal centered around Bennedict Mathurin could be on the horizon for New Orleans.
Why the Pacers are willing to move Mathurin
Coming into this season, the Pacers' fourth-year guard was widely expected to take a massive leap and was one of the preseason favorites for the league's Most Improved Player award. With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the year due to an Achilles injury, the opportunity was there.
But it just hasn't worked out that way. Mathurin is averaging just 17.8 points, on 42.3 percent shooting from the floor. Compared to the season prior, Mathurin's points per game have increased by only 1.7, and his field goal percentage has fallen by 3.5 percent despite an uptick in minutes. That downturn likely explains why the Pacers are exploring trade options. With his contract expiring at the end of the season and the team already committed long-term to guard Andrew Nembhard and wing Aaron Nesmith, there’s little to no value to invest further in Mathurin.
With the Pacers in desperate need of front-court help following Myles Turner's departure to Milwaukee this offseason, trading Mathurin could yield a return that addresses Indy's weakness.
Why this trade makes sense for New Orleans
There’s risk in betting on a player who hasn’t taken the leap this season, but the upside still makes the gamble worth considering.
Mathurin's been a steady threat from beyond the arc, shooting 36.6 percent from three this season. He is excellent at drawing contact and getting to the foul line, and he is the type of player you can trust to score in late-clock situations. These are all things the Pelicans could use and would relieve some pressure on Trey Murphy III, as it would be nice for the team to have another floor spacing scorer.
It's also important to note he is just 23 years old, making him a perfect fit for the Pelicans' young core timeline. With reports suggesting the Pelicans are ready to part ways with Yves Missi, if the Pacers are desperate enough to dangle Bennedict Mathurin in trade talks, Joe Dumars should jump at it.