Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin was among the 12 players eligible for a rookie scale extension who didn’t reach a deal before Monday’s deadline. Despite that, the 23-year-old isn’t letting contract talks affect his mindset heading into the new season.
“It’s not that big of a deal, man,” the player said, as reported by Dustin Dopirak of the Indy Star.
“Obviously, I would’ve loved to, but I’m not worried about that. It’s just about going into the game, going into the season with my mind straight knowing that, you know what? I’m going to have a great season. I can actually be who I’ve been wanting to be.”
Given the Pacers’ existing roster commitments and several players already on substantial contracts, Mathurin was considered unlikely to secure an extension before the deadline.
Instead, Indiana appears set to evaluate his progress and future role during the 2025–26 campaign.
For Mathurin, the focus is now on performance rather than paperwork. After showing flashes of star potential in his first two seasons, he enters this year with a chance to solidify his place as one of Indiana’s foundational players.
“I can actually be who I’ve been wanting to be,” he reiterated – a sign of confidence that he plans to prove his value through his play, not negotiations.
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— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) October 23, 2025
