Former All-Rookie standout floated as 'realistic dream trade target' for Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are in transition. 

Eight of their 18 players on the roster as of September 13 have more than three years of experience. Three players on the other side of the ledger are on two-way contracts, giving the Hawks a near-50-50 split on the main roster ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Trending further toward the younger group could be in order if they start slow. Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus suggests Indiana Pacers swingman Bennedict Mathurin as a "realistic dream trade target".

Mathurin was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.

“The Hawks seem to have chosen between Dejounte Murray (traded to the New Orleans Pelicans) and Young, but the franchise could reset entirely in the right situation. Assuming Young sticks for the year, the team needs to add youthful, athletic talent that doesn't hurt the budget,” Pincus wrote on September 13.

“Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers would make a great addition to rising star Jalen Johnson and No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.”

Mathurin, 22, is coming off an injury-shortened 2023-24 regular season.

A torn labrum and the surgery to repair it sidelined Mathuring after 59 games played. He averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 2023-24. The points and rebounds were both steps back for Mathurin, though the boards were negligible.

He also shot a career-best 37.4% from beyond the arc on 3.6 attempts per game, just below his volume as a rookie when he earned All-Rookie honors.

Hawks could get 2022 NBA Draft re-do with  Bennedict Mathurin

The Hawks drafted AJ Griffin with the No. 16 overall pick in 2022. They traded him to the Houston Rockets during the 2024 offseason after a tumultuous sophomore campaign that saw him step away from the team for a spell.

Griffin is now strongly considering stepping away from basketball, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania on September 12.

Adding Mathurin would be like a redo for the Hawks.

They likely needed Mathurin’s two-way potential over Griffin’s bonafide shooting. But they never had the opportunity then. 

However, prying him loose from the Indiana Pacers could prove a challenge.

“As the Indiana Pacers have done their due diligence working the phones with NBA teams across the league, rival executives have inquired about Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker, league sources told HoopsHype,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported in June.

“Both young players, however, haven’t been made available by Indiana, with the team looking to bring back its core in an attempt to make another deep playoff run this upcoming season.”

The Hawks could offer draft capital and Larry Nance Jr. to match salaries.

The Pacers have several big men, though, and need help in the wings. However, a player like De’Andre Hunter – whom they were previously linked to – would require further financial finagling from both teams.