Bennedict Mathurin is the Indiana Pacers’ leading scorer off the bench, averaging 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds this season. Former Pacers player Jeff Teague believes Mathurin deserves a larger role and salary, describing him as a star who is being held back. Although Mathurin exhibits a one-on-one playing style, contrasting with the team’s passing philosophy, Teague praises his aggressiveness and scoring ability. He speculates that financial considerations may affect Mathurin’s playing time. Currently on a rookie contract with a cap hit of $7.24 million, Mathurin is expected to become a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.
Bennedict Mathurin stands out as the top scorer for the Indiana Pacers from a strong bench, averaging 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds during the regular season.
Former Pacers player Jeff Teague feels that such performance deserves more playtime and a better salary.
“Bennedict Mathurin is a star in the making,” the ex-Pacers guard mentioned on his Club 520 podcast. “For some reason, the Pacers are limiting him.”
“Sure, he might be a bit unpredictable and do some unusual things,” Teague added, without elaborating further.
Mathurin tends to excel in one-on-one situations, contrasting with the Pacers, who lead the league in assists during the NBA playoffs.
Teague believes that Mathurin’s assertiveness with the ball benefits the team: “He drives aggressively. … He can penetrate and draw fouls.”
Teague speculates that financial considerations might be keeping Mathurin from more minutes.
“I suspect they’re cautious because his pay could significantly increase if he took on a larger role,” Teague remarked.
Mathurin, selected as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and currently under his rookie contract, has a cap hit of $7.24 million for this season, according to Spotrac. The team has opted into his fourth-year option for 2025-26, set to impact the salary cap by $9.18 million.
He will enter restricted free agency following the 2025-26 season.
Teague doesn’t have any issues with Aaron Nesmith, who starts over Mathurin and scored 23 points in Indiana’s dramatic Game 2 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Throughout the playoffs, Mathurin has posted averages of 11.8 points, including a notable 21-of-24 from the free-throw line, along with 3.0 rebounds.