Mathurin Signs 2-Year Pelicans Deal

Bennedict Mathurin agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, including a player option, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday. The deal is not fully signed yet. Mathurin's camp asked the LA Clippers to withdraw his $8.8 million qualifying offer so he can become unrestricted and join New Orleans without an offer sheet or a three-year sign-and-trade.

Mathurin, 24, finished last season with the Clippers after Indiana dealt him in the Ivica Zubac trade. He averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 54 games across both stops, all career highs, per ESPN. Off the bench he averaged 17.5 points, the most in the NBA among players with at least 20 games.

Why did Bennedict Mathurin choose the Pelicans?

Flexibility. Longer offers with more total money and more team control were on the table, Charania reported. Mathurin wanted the earliest path back to unrestricted free agency next summer, plus a second-year safety net via the player option. The Pelicans had chased him for over a year and see him as a piece next to Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, and Dejounte Murray under new coach Jamahl Mosley.

Process still matters. July 13 was the unilateral deadline for clubs to pull a QO, but a team can still rescind with the player's consent later. Jake Fischer reported the Clippers had not formally pulled it yet while working toward that outcome. Until that paperwork clears, treat the agreement as terms reached, not ink dried.

What does Mathurin add in New Orleans?

Shot creation off the bench or in a starting wing slot, downhill pressure, and scoring punch on a 26-win roster that needed another creator. New Orleans kept the deal structured to stay near the tax line, Charania noted, though some salary-cap trackers flagged the math as tight. Either way, the basketball bet is clear: bet on a 24-year-old scorer over another long, team-controlled deal elsewhere.

Free agency keeps handing out prove-it contracts. Jonathan Kuminga took two years in Minnesota. Klay Thompson took less money in Miami for a title shot. Mathurin's version is youth and upside in the West, with a player option as the exit ramp.

Mathurin Pelicans contract FAQ

Did Bennedict Mathurin sign with the Pelicans? He agreed to a two-year, $16M deal with a player option. Finalization awaits Clippers QO steps.

How much is the Mathurin contract? Two years, $16 million, second year a player option, per ESPN.

Was Mathurin a restricted free agent? Yes. Pulling the Clippers' $8.8M qualifying offer would make him unrestricted.