An NBA trade idea sending Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin from the Indiana Pacers to the Portland Trail Blazers has been created.
NBA writer Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Pacers and Trail Blazers:
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin
Indiana Pacers receive: Jerami Grant, Donovan Clingan, a 2028 first-round pick (via ORL) and a 2030 first-round pick (via POR or MIL)
The Pacers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals in seven games. All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss the 2025-26 season recovering from his right Achilles tear.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers missed the playoffs in 2025. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2021.
“It’s tough to say exactly what the Trail Blazers are hoping to accomplish and when, but the acquisition of Jrue Holiday and return of Damian Lillard indicate a desire to compete sooner than later,” Buckley wrote. “If this young core experiences enough development to make that competitiveness possible already this season, Portland has the assets to pursue something major.
“Bringing in three key contributors from Indiana’s Finals team would qualify. The Pacers would have to be blown away to let them go—Nembhard in particular—but two unprotected future firsts and 2024’s No. 7 pick (Clingan, who’d fill a position of dire need for the Pacers) feels like a healthy haul for three non-stars.”
Nembhard averaged 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.2 blocks for the Pacers last season while shooting 45.8% from the field, 29.1% from beyond the arc and 79.4% from the free-throw line.
Mathurin averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks while shooting 45.8% from the field, 34.0% from beyond the arc and 83.1% from the free-throw line.
Finally, Toppin averaged 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks while shooting 52.9% from the field, 36.5% from beyond the arc and 78.1% from the free-throw line.