The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2024-25 season ended sooner than expected, with a first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, with LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the charge, the front office may look to add more firepower this offseason—and Indiana Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin could be a prime target.
According to Dean Simon of Sporting News, despite having two elite playmakers in James and Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers struggled with consistency beyond Austin Reaves. Adding a young, high-upside scorer like Bennedict Mathurin could provide the necessary depth to compete in a stacked Western Conference.
Scoring Punch: Averaged 16.1 PPG last season on a career-best 51.6% effective field goal percentage.
– Athleticism & Fit: A 6’6″ wing who can attack the rim and play off ball-dominant stars.
As Dean Simon noted in the original report: “Ball-dominant superstars such as James and Doncic have historically needed a young, athletic, offensive-minded wing to take on some of the scoring load for their teams to be successful, and Mathurin could certainly fill that role for a competitive Lakers team.”
The Pacers are expected to be sellers this offseason due to their tight cap space. Benedict Mathurin, entering the final year of his rookie deal, could be moved to avoid a costly extension in 2026
