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The Pacers continue to seek a long-term answer at center after free agent Myles Turner left for Milwaukee last summer. And with Bennedict Mathurin headed for restricted free agency this offseason, the expectation among sources is he could be moved either to acquire center help or to find a cheaper long-term wing option.
The Pacers continue to seek a long-term answer at center after free agent Myles Turner left for Milwaukee last summer. And with Bennedict Mathurin headed for restricted free agency this offseason, the expectation among sources is he could be moved to either acquire center help or to find a cheaper long-term wing option.
But with the deadline getting closer, Mathurin has been playing better. He posted 25 points, five assists and four rebounds in the Pacers' 118-114 loss to the Rockets on Monday after registering 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in the win over the Hawks on Saturday. He's scored in double figures in each of of the four games since he returned from a right thumb sprain last week. "I could go two ways about it," Mathurin said. "I can be stressed and worried about it and everything. But I just feel like stress only comes from when you're not ready for situations. For me it's pretty much just keep my head down and keep working. If it happens, it it happens. If it doesn't, I'm here to work."
After scoring 39 points in the win over the Pacers, Alperen Sengun admitted that he was expecting to be named an All-Star. As he admitted after the game: “My goal was to become an All-Star every year after last year. Frankly, it was disappointing for me, but these things happen”. The silver lining for Sengun is that he is still just 23 years old: “There is a lot of talent in the league and I am still a young player. I know that sooner or later I will achieve this. This situation pushes me to work harder. I still have goals and I have to achieve it. Things like this always motivate me in a good way. I need to work harder, I need to be disciplined in what I do. I hope I have many more years in the NBA and many All-Star selections. I will achieve this”.
The Lakers Review: Jake Fischer during his live stream for Bleacher Report today stated the Lakers’ inability to trade for Keon Ellis - whom the team wanted - is an “indicator” to him that they’re not going to be “super aggressive” trying to find perimeter help. He reiterated their desire to maintain cap space for the summer and named Peyton Watson, Bennedict Mathurin, and Tari Eason as potential players they could target amongst other wings that may become available. Jake also mentioned “definitively, the Lakers are ready to move on from LeBron James and I think LeBron James is ready to move on from the Lakers as well. That’s kind of the foregone sentiment in Los Angeles right now about what’s to come this summer.”
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NBA Communications: Other nominees… West: Luka Dončić (LAL), Kevin Durant (HOU), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) and Kawhi Leonard (LAC) East: Jarrett Allen (CLE), OG Anunoby and Josh Hart (NYK), Cade Cunningham (DET), Joel Embiid (PHI) and Aaron Nesmith (IND)
Gary Woelfel: Is Myles Turner’s stay with the Bucks going to be a short one? Some NBA teams, sources said, are doing their homework on the Bucks big man, who signed a bloated four-year, $107M deal with the team last summer. Turner, who turns 30 on March 24, has noticeably struggled this season. He’s averaging 12.3 pts, his lowest in the last five seasons, and 5.5 rebounds, his lowest since his 2015-16 rookie season with the Pacers.
Allen Stiles: Sam Amick on @Sactown1140 sounds like Keon’s market faded a little, Kings wanted to make sure they got something - Minnesota was 2 2nds but started focusing on Giannis - Indy didn’t want to give up a 1st while still having Benedict Mathurin - “Boston was in there too but faded”
Adam Wexler: #Rockets have recalled Isaiah Crawford from @RGVVipers . Houston at Indiana tonight with Adams (ankle), VanVleet (knee) & Durant (left ankle sprain) OUT.
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Varun Shankar: Rockets will be without Kevin Durant tomorrow vs Indy. Left ankle sprain for Durant.
Caitlin Clark is headed to the NBA, at least for a couple of nights. NBC announced Tuesday that Clark — the Indiana Fever star with an enormous following within the game — is joining the network’s pregame coverage for its debut of “Sunday Night Basketball” this weekend when the Los Angeles Lakers play the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. It’s set to be a two-night gig for Clark, who plans to return to NBC in another pregame role on March 29 when the Knicks visit the Oklahoma City Thunder. “There’s no more iconic figure in basketball in the women’s game right now, or the game in general,” Sam Flood, executive producer for NBC Sports, told The Associated Press. “So, we said, ‘let’s have a bigger conversation.’”
Kings sources say they had several suitors fall through in recent days and weeks, among them Indiana, Boston and Minnesota. The Pacers had concerns about Ellis' ability to find playing time over Bennedict Mathurin, who is headed for restricted free agency. Mathurin might be on the move before the trade deadline, but so long as he was on their roster, giving up a first-rounder for Ellis was deemed a dicey proposition. The Celtics also retreated with their interest.
Pacers defeat Hawks 129-124 behind 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting from Pascal Siakam, 26 points and 10 assists from Andrew Nembhard, 23 points from Aaron Nesmith. Jalen Johnson continues All-Star push, goes off for 33 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals.