When Bennedict Mathurin arrived in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers he did so with the label of a future star; yet, despite confirming all his qualities once he stepped onto the floor, there were moments when he came across as a player from a bygone era, one of those relentless scorers who used to shoulder much of the load on his own.
Perhaps that microwave-style scoring hasn’t paid dividends. Now, as a restricted free agent, he is finding it hard to break through ahead of the 2026-27 season. There is interest from teams such as the New Orleans Pelicans or the Chicago Bulls, but at least in the latter case, and according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic, not as much as the hype suggests.
The journalist notes that the Bulls want the 24-year-old guard, but that desire has been exaggerated. More important than signing Mathurin is maintaining roster flexibility and acquiring future assets. Mathurin could fit into that plan, but always without making reckless moves.
At this point, a sign-and-trade would probably be necessary for the Bulls to land Mathurin, which could involve sacrificing future assets such as second-round picks. Furthermore, this type of deal would require securing at least three seasons… Exactly, they do not yet see a clear path forward.
Finally, Mathurin’s profile as a scorer isn’t a priority for Chicago, where they seem inclined to improve spacing and defense. More plainly: the Bulls will only pursue him if a favorable scenario for the team arises in which they do not have to surrender valuable assets.
