After Indiana’s thrilling run to the 2025 NBA Finals, there’s already a fascinating situation ahead: 22-year-old Bennedict Mathurin, coming off a breakout season (16.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG on 45.8% FG), will make approximately $9.19 million in 2025-26, his final rookie-scale year, and, if unsigned to an extension, is poised to command a qualifying offer near $12.3 million next summer.
The Indiana Pacers may find themselves reluctant to match that figure, especially amid roster changes and cap considerations. Enter a beneficial trade idea: the Dallas Mavericks, firmly in win-now mode behind Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis (along with the drafted Cooper Flagg), could ship out Max Christie, a young, ascending two-way wing, alongside Brandon Williams and future draft capital, to bring in Indiana’s dynamic scorer.
Christie, who has blossomed in Dallas, is now a valuable, affordable piece on a team-friendly deal. This proposed trade allows Indiana to reset financially while locking in length and upside; for Dallas, it means bolstering their present championship hopes. Let’s dive into the trade.
Proposed Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Bennedict Mathurin
Indiana Pacers Receive: Max Christie, Brandon Williams, 2030 second-round pick, 2032 second-round pick
Dallas Mavericks Add A Perfect Win-Now Swingman To Their Elite Roster
The Mavericks are on the clock: with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis anchoring a championship-caliber core, the window for contention is open right now. Adding Bennedict Mathurin, a high-octane scorer with finishing prowess and breakout playoff moxie, would be a shrewd, high-reward move.
Mathurin’s late-game heroics and 3-point accuracy make him the ideal complement to Dallas’s star duo, filling a dynamic scoring void they haven’t consistently solved. The Mavs appear primed to flip a couple of promising young pieces and future second-round picks to stack their roster for maximum present value.
In this proposed swap, Dallas parts with Max Christie, a rising two-way wing whose defensive upside and steady development are turning heads. Brandon Williams adds intrigue as a raw but talented ball-handler with size, while the 2030 and 2032 second-round picks offer cap-friendly flexibility for years to come.
In return, Mathurin’s ready-now scoring is a blueprint fit for Dallas’s aggressive, superstar-driven offense. For a team whose ceiling may have already peaked, this bold move could elevate them from threat to immediate title contender.
Yet the calculation isn’t risk-free. If the postseason ends early again, trading future assets for a swingman, even one as dynamic as Mathurin, could hurt.
Indiana Pacers Bring Back Talented Defender And Some Picks In A Rebuilding Year
Meanwhile, Indiana finds itself in a position of both heartbreak and clarity. With Tyrese Haliburton ruled out for the entire 2025-26 season after a torn Achilles, the foundation of their Finals run has shifted dramatically.
Haliburton’s absence clears a path for the Pacers to reset, no pressure, just development. Holding onto Bennedict Mathurin through this season would offer him more runway, but it could also limit their flexibility. Instead, flipping him now cultivates assets while giving younger players a stage to grow.
By acquiring Max Christie (9.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG) and Brandon Williams (8.3 PPG, 2.3 APG), Indy taps into a defense-first wing with evolving offensive tools and a versatile guard with draft headaches, both of whom fit the timeline for a one-year rebuild. They’re coupled with two second-round picks in 2030 and 2032, currency that can be applied to future needs or packaged later.
The returns emphasize prudent asset management in a season where playoff expectations are dialed back in favor of longevity. This transitional strategy doesn’t mean abandoning the culture and chemistry forged en route to the Finals.
Instead, it recognizes a temporary pause in their trajectory. The Pacers can lean on Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and a widened role for Mathurin’s temporary replacement, while preparing to re-emerge stronger once Haliburton returns.
A Clever Trade Between Two Teams With Different Goals In 2025-26
As Dallas continues to ride the championship wave with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Cooper Flagg, the acquisition of Bennedict Mathurin injects explosive youth into a narrowing elite window, boosting their scoring versatility without sacrificing defensive grit. Mathurin’s ascension to a starter-level contributor this fall, combined with his $9.19 million salary for 2025-26, offers immediate upside at a cost that the Mavs’ front office likely sees as a win-now bargain.
On the flip side, Indiana’s calculated rebuild preserves long-term flexibility, recognizing that with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the full season, a temporary step back can yield strategic gains. Acquiring Max Christie, capable of delivering double-digit scoring, floor spacing, and two-way potential, alongside Brandon Williams and future second-round picks, positions the Pacers to reload on timeline while keeping growth and financial breathing room intact.
