#00 is the leader of the pack next year. Build around Mathurin’s game. Get him to FT like 12 times a game. Let him cook.

 

 

As the dust settles on an unforgettable playoff run, one thing is becoming clearer by the day in Indiana — the future of the Pacers might just wear #00.

 

Bennedict Mathurin, the fiery and fearless guard out of Arizona, showed flashes of stardom in his sophomore season, and now the talk is growing louder: it’s time to build around him.

 

With Tyrese Haliburton battling injuries and showing signs of wear late in the postseason, Mathurin stepped up, flashing that killer instinct that front offices dream about. He plays with confidence, thrives in contact, and most importantly — he wants the smoke.

 

### A New Offensive Identity

 

The key to unlocking Mathurin’s full potential? Letting him attack — constantly. He’s not just a shooter or a spot-up wing. He’s a downhill problem. A walking mismatch. And if the Pacers want to rise higher in the East, they need to give him the green light.

 

**”Get him to the free throw line 12 times a game.”** That’s not just wishful thinking. It’s the blueprint. The top stars in the league — from Luka to Shai to Jimmy Butler — live at the line. Mathurin has the physical tools and mentality to do the same. The more aggressive he gets, the more dangerous the entire Pacers offense becomes.

 

### Let Him Cook

 

It’s time to stop treating Mathurin like a side dish. He’s the entrée. The offense should start with him in motion, attacking mismatches, and collapsing defenses. Haliburton is still a vital piece of the puzzle, but #00 brings something different — raw, unfiltered scoring power with a chip on his shoulder.

 

With the right spacing, a few strategic additions in free agency, and a coaching staff that believes in his takeover ability, Mathurin could make the leap from promising young star to franchise centerpiece.

 

### The Next Chapter

 

There’s a fire in Bennedict Mathurin that can’t be coached — it can only be unleashed. And next year, Indiana might just hand him the keys.

 

\#00 is ready to lead

the pack.

 

Let him cook.