Los Angeles Clippers wing Bennedict Mathurin has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. Shams Charania of ESPN shared the news today. Mathurin, a restricted free agent, reportedly sought the shortest route possible between his current situation and unrestricted free agency (and it’s associated earning power). That path included an $8 million per year contract with a player option in the second season, allowing him to opt out next summer and renegotiate.
Charania indicates
that Mathurin has long been coveted by the Pelicans. He averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 30.0 minutes per game last year, shooting 43.0% from the floor and 31.5% from the three-point arc. Mathurin split time between the Indiana Pacers—the team that selected him 6th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft—and the Los Angeles Clippers. Mathurin went to L.A. mid-season as part of the deal that brought center Ivaca Zubac to Indiana.
NBA writer Jake Fischer indicates that the Clippers may be exploring sign-and-trade deals with New Orleans instead of letting the restricted free agent go outright.
