Trade Rumors Intensify: Pacers Shopping Mathurin; Murray, Olynyk, Blazers, Nuggets Also in Play
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The Indiana Pacers are actively discussing fourth-year wing Bennedict Mathurin with several clubs and are expected to move him before next Thursday’s trade deadline, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
Indiana previously spoke with the New Orleans Pelicans about the 23-year-old, but multiple teams have since expressed interest. Mathurin missed significant time with a right thumb sprain and turf toe, limiting him to 25 games. He returned on Monday and is averaging 17.7 points in 31.8 minutes per contest during the final season of his rookie contract.
If the Pacers keep Mathurin past the deadline, he would likely become a sign-and-trade candidate this summer. Indiana already has more than $177 million in guaranteed salary committed for next season and is not inclined to extend a sizeable long-term offer, Siegel reports.
Elsewhere around the league:
• Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray and representatives at Klutch Sports would welcome a new situation, Siegel writes. New Orleans added Jordan Poole and Jeremiah Fears last offseason, crowding the backcourt. Murray, still recovering from an Achilles tear and yet to play this year, is owed $94 million over the next three seasons, complicating trade efforts.
• San Antonio Spurs are open to moving Kelly Olynyk in addition to Jeremy Sochan. Bundling their expiring deals would create roughly $20.5 million in salary matching for potential transactions.
• Portland Trail Blazers have made Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday available, but do not view themselves as sellers. Holiday would only be dealt if Portland receives pieces that improve the current roster immediately, according to Siegel.
• Denver Nuggets, about $400,000 over the luxury-tax line, plan a minor move to slip below the threshold, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports. Denver believes it can achieve that without parting with a rotation player. Rival teams are monitoring Peyton Watson, slated for restricted free agency this summer; cap-space clubs such as the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing possible bids.
• Multi-team activity expected: Front offices anticipate several three- or four-team trades before the deadline. The Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz have informed rivals they are willing to absorb salary to facilitate complex deals, Fischer adds.
Source: HoopsRumors
