Bennedict Mathurin just inked a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, and if you ask me, the Los Angeles Clippers are going to be kicking themselves for this one. ESPN’s Shams Charania dropped the report, confirming a move that feels like a massive win for the Pels.
Here’s the kicker: the Clippers had actually tendered Mathurin a qualifying offer, which is supposed to keep him in play as a free agent, right? But somehow, New Orleans snatched him up. Insider Jake Fischer even reported that the Clippers “haven’t yet withdrawn” that offer but are somehow going to “work with Mathurin” to make this move to the Big Easy happen. Seriously, how do you let a guy like Mathurin, a 6’5″ wing, walk when you’ve got that kind of leverage? It’s wild to see unfold.
From Pacer Finals Runs to Pelican Potential
Let’s be real, Mathurin is a legit talent, and the Pelicans just got a steal. Last season, this dude averaged a career-high 17.6 points, shooting 43.0 percent from the field, including 31.5 percent from downtown. He was also grabbing 5.4 rebounds and dishing out 2.4 assists across 54 games, starting 25 of them. The Indiana Pacers picked him sixth overall in the 2022 NBA draft, and he spent three-plus seasons there, even helping them get to the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and then the freaking NBA Finals in 2025! Talk about a resume. The Pacers eventually traded him to the Clippers on February 5, 2026, in a multi-player and multi-pick deal that sent Ivica Zubac to Indiana. He came off the bench as the Clippers’ sixth man, still putting up serious numbers with 17.4 PPG.
New Orleans’ Long Game Pays Off
The Pelicans have had their eyes on Mathurin for a minute. Back on July 28, NBA insider Jake Fischer was already reporting that New Orleans was showing strong interest and had “recent dialogue” with the former Arizona star. It wasn’t clear then if a deal was close, but Charania’s report confirms it all came together, calling it a “long-standing pursuit.” New Orleans clearly sees the potential Mathurin flashed in his four NBA seasons. This move is a huge step for them, and at 24 years old, Mathurin isn’t just a role player, he might be a core piece for their future. Keep an eye on New Orleans, because they just added a serious weapon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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