This player wasn’t merely a supplementary piece in the Ivica Zubac trade for the Clippers.

When the Los Angeles Clippers dealt starting center Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers ahead of this season’s NBA trade deadline, most of the headlines focused on the complex draft compensation involved. The pick package was unusual enough to dominate the conversation.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 10: Bennedict Mathurin #9 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives to the basket as Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets defends during the second half at Toyota Center on February 10, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Clippers are guaranteed Indiana’s fully unprotected 2029 first-round selection. They will also receive the Pacers’ 2026 first-round pick if it falls between No. 5 and No. 9 in the lottery. Should that condition not be met, Los Angeles instead secures Indiana’s fully unprotected 2031 first-rounder. That structure alone made the transaction one of the more intriguing deals at the deadline.

Yet amid all the chatter about distant draft assets, a key element of the trade flew somewhat under the radar. In addition to those premium picks, the Clippers also acquired Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson. While Jackson adds frontcourt depth, it’s Mathurin who has quickly become the focal point of the player side of the swap.

Through his first six appearances in a Clippers uniform, Mathurin has averaged 20.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists across 31.0 minutes per contest. His efficiency, however, has been uneven. He’s converting just 40.7 percent of his shots overall and a mere 20.8 percent from three-point range. That dip from beyond the arc is notable considering he knocked down 37.2 percent of his threes with Indiana earlier this year. The adjustment period is understandable, particularly as he acclimates to new teammates and a different offensive structure—especially without newly installed starting point guard Darius Garland consistently setting him up.

Mathurin struggled in a recent loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves when Kawhi Leonard was unavailable. Still, when Leonard is healthy and commanding defensive attention, Mathurin has flashed the explosive scoring punch that made him such an intriguing prospect. If he sustains anything close to this production over the remainder of the campaign, he could emerge as one of the most fascinating restricted free-agent cases of the upcoming offseason.

His early stretch in Los Angeles certainly grabbed attention. Just three games into his Clippers tenure, Mathurin matched his career high with 38 points. In his first home outing at the Intuit Dome, he went 12-of-22 from the field and an impressive 12-of-13 from the free-throw line, adding five rebounds, four assists and three steals in a narrow victory over the Denver Nuggets. The following evening, he poured in 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a tight defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Although his scoring has cooled somewhat since that breakout, he still produced a balanced 21-point, nine-rebound, five-assist performance in a two-point setback against the Orlando Magic. The expectation is that once Leonard returns to full strength, Mathurin’s role as a high-volume scorer—particularly off the bench—will stabilize and potentially flourish.

However, Leonard’s absence has also exposed the challenges Mathurin faces when tasked with carrying a heavier offensive burden. In another close loss to Orlando, he endured perhaps his roughest outing as a Clipper, finishing with 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting, along with six rebounds, two assists and six turnovers in a six-point defeat. That uneven display prompted no shortage of pointed commentary regarding his readiness to operate as a primary scoring option.

Fortunately for both Mathurin and the Clippers, he may not be required to shoulder that responsibility consistently—assuming Leonard remains healthy and avoids any disciplinary consequences related to the salary-cap circumvention allegations that have hovered over him throughout the season. As long as Leonard is active, Mathurin can function in a complementary role that better suits his current strengths.

The timing of this evaluation period is crucial. Mathurin is slated to become a restricted free agent this summer, giving the Clippers a valuable window to assess his long-term viability. With Leonard unlikely to suit up for every remaining regular-season game, Mathurin should receive additional opportunities to showcase his ability to lead an offense. How he performs in those scenarios—whether as a temporary No. 1 option or as Leonard’s wing partner—could heavily influence the franchise’s offseason strategy.

Free agency this summer presents both opportunities and complications. On the positive side for players, projections indicate that more teams will have meaningful cap space available compared to last offseason. The Clippers themselves could find flexibility depending on how they structure their books.

On the other hand, several organizations effectively completed major portions of their offseason maneuvering at the trade deadline in what has been dubbed “pre-agency.” The Washington Wizards used up anticipated cap room by acquiring Anthony Davis and Trae Young, while the Utah Jazz committed significant resources to Jaren Jackson Jr..

Cap projections from Spotrac’s Keith Smith suggest that the Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls could each possess roughly $35 million or more in spending power. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons might also generate $30 million-plus in space, though they could opt to remain above the cap.

Several of those franchises will likely seek high-scoring forwards—an area where Mathurin theoretically fits. Yet his profile isn’t flawless. He’s a career 34.4 percent three-point shooter and grades out as a below-average defender, making him far from the prototypical three-and-D archetype that many contenders covet.

An especially intriguing subplot could unfold if both Mathurin and Jonathan Kuminga reach free agency simultaneously. Mathurin has arguably been the steadier scorer over the past two seasons, but both young wings may believe a new environment would unlock higher ceilings.

The next six weeks offer a proving ground. Should Mathurin maintain averages north of 20 points and six rebounds for the remainder of the season, he could vault into the upper tier of available free agents—particularly if Young and James Harden remain with their current clubs in Atlanta and Cleveland, respectively. Teams like the Lakers, Nets and Bulls would be logical suitors, among others.

Mathurin won’t even celebrate his 24th birthday until mid-June, underscoring how much developmental runway still lies ahead. Whether he ultimately evolves into Leonard’s long-term successor in Los Angeles—or remains with the Clippers at all—remains uncertain. But this stretch run could decisively shape that outcome.

Indiana’s willingness to include Mathurin in the Zubac deal likely stemmed in part from this looming contractual crossroads. The Pacers already have Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam on maximum contracts. Given their historical spending tendencies, adding a third significant salary may not have aligned with their financial blueprint.

Conversely, the Clippers’ long-term payroll commitments are relatively clean beyond Garland, positioning them to pursue cornerstone-level talent. With Leonard now in his mid-30s and approaching the final year of his deal, Los Angeles must begin planning for a post-Kawhi era. Garland and Mathurin could form a foundational backcourt-wing pairing for that next chapter.

First, though, Mathurin must validate that projection. He has the remainder of the regular season to demonstrate consistency, efficiency and adaptability. The Clippers didn’t merely acquire him as an afterthought in a pick-heavy transaction. His development—and potential payday—may ultimately prove just as significant as any draft selection attached to the trade.