Mathurin is on the trade block, there’s no question about it. What is in question is how much he’s worth.

With this trade, both the Pacers and Heat are taking a bit of a gamble, and both in the right direction of where they’re going.

For the Pacers, draft capital this year is worth more than next year. If all goes according to plan, they walk away with a 2026 pick in the mid to high-teens, rather than a 2027 pick possibly in the 20’s. They simply better make sure they’re back to being a strong team next year and they put SOME protection on the pick. The 2026 draft simply looks loaded compared to 2027. It’s also a bit of insurance if they drop with their higher pick and need draft capital to try to trade up.

For the Heat, they get the weapon that is Mathurin and his RFA rights, while not losing a 1st for long term growth or to throw in a big trade down the line. They’ll have enough cap space to sign him long term if they choose to.