Mailbag Part 2: Could Nembhard be the Trade Piece to a Longterm Starting Center? + How Much Money is Too Much for Mathurin?

from Setting The Pace: A Pacers Podcast · host Tyler Chin

Today, Alex and Facci conclude the November Mailbag...pretty sure Alex said this was Part 3 and the graphic says Part 2, sorry for the confusion. We answered 1 mailbag question last Friday, which was technically Part 1, but whatever Part it is of the mailbag, we answered your questions and talked about this team! Here are the questions below:Nick Ogren: Quenton Jackson’s hamstring injury might be the most devastating injury this fall, given the opportunity in front of him. After a Haliburton-esque 25 pt, 6 rebs, 10 assist AND ZERO turnover masterclass against the Warriors, when will the team reward him with a standard contract?Nick Ogren: Of the (healthy) bench players from ‘24-25, which one(s) have shown the most growth thru 8 games in ‘25-26? And which players have shown the most potential to be key contributors once the guards get healthy later this year?Hoops Hub: How much money is too much money for Mathurin where you start to look at trading him/sign and trading him rather than re signing him?Meghan Ogren: I loved seeing Huff hit some 3s and give us a reverse dunk in the Nets game. Have your thoughts on Huff’s potential (or IJax’s) changed after the recent home stand? Why or why not?Liquid Meddler: If Mathurin’s first two games prove to be true of his new level of play, does Nembhard become the piece to help acquire a potential big who “could” play center (Jabari Smith Jr?) in the 26/27 season and beyond?Doug Giles: Assuming greatest need next year is center and I think it takes three years for a non superstar center to show true potential. I don’t think there is a Shaq/Robinson talent in college right now. What is the best way to address the need not through the draft?Bearable Fan: Is Aaron Nesmith's ability to draw charges and offensive fouls the most underrated skill set he has Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What this episode covers

Today, Alex and Facci conclude the November Mailbag...pretty sure Alex said this was Part 3 and the graphic says Part 2, sorry for the confusion. We answered 1 mailbag question last Friday, which was technically Part 1, but whatever Part it is of the mailbag, we answered your questions and talked about this team! Here are the questions below: Nick Ogren: Quenton Jackson’s hamstring injury might be the most devastating injury this fall, given the opportunity in front of him. After a Haliburton-esque 25 pt, 6 rebs, 10 assist AND ZERO turnover masterclass against the Warriors, when will the team reward him with a standard contract? Nick Ogren: Of the (healthy) bench players from ‘24-25, which one(s) have shown the most growth thru 8 games in ‘25-26? And which players have shown the most potential to be key contributors once the guards get healthy later this year? Hoops Hub: How much money is too much money for Mathurin where you start to look at trading him/sign and trading him rather than re signing him? Meghan Ogren: I loved seeing Huff hit some 3s and give us a reverse dunk in the Nets game. Have your thoughts on Huff’s potential (or IJax’s) changed after the recent home stand? Why or why not? Liquid Meddler: If Mathurin’s first two games prove to be true of his new level of play, does Nembhard become the piece to help acquire a potential big who “could” play center (Jabari Smith Jr?) in the 26/27 season and beyond? Doug Giles: Assuming greatest need next year is center and I think it takes three years for a non superstar center to show true potential. I don’t think there is a Shaq/Robinson talent in college right now. What is the best way to address the need not through the draft? Bearable Fan: Is Aaron Nesmith's ability to draw charges and offensive fouls the most underrated skill set he has