Bennedict Mathurin was the guy who had to step in as the starter while he was out. He has played really great basketball the entire season. All of Mathurin's numbers have gone up since last year because he has been starting most of the year.

After missing Wednesday's game, Andrew Nembhard (thoracic spine sprain) and Bennedict Mathurin (illness) returned to Pacers practice Friday.

“Indiana guard Bennedict Mathurin is being monitored by nearly every team seen as a buyer at the deadline, according to one scouting executive. But because the Pacers are… pic.twitter.com/rLlZxjZ3V9

According to the LA Times, nearly every team in the league is looking at Mathurin. The Pacers value him highly though, and would need a player of equal value plus a first-round pick in any deal involving him.

Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard is out against the Pistons with a thoracic spine sprain and guard Bennedict Mathurin is out with an illness.

In light of the Feb. 6 trade deadline looming, the Indiana Pacers must traverse cautiously. As the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, only one loss out of the fourth, they could improve or ruin their playoff picture with a trade. A recent report mentioned a Pacers wing in a potential trade with the Los Angeles Lakers .

Here is all the latest news you need to know about the Indiana Pacers, including Tyrese Haliburton being snubbed from the All-Star team.

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin "is being monitored by nearly every team seen as a buyer at the deadline," according to the Los Angeles Times'