Pelicans Gauge Sign-and-Trade Scenarios for Restricted Free Agent Bennedict Mathurin
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The New Orleans Pelicans have renewed contact with representatives for swingman Bennedict Mathurin, league sources told The Stein Line. Mathurin, 24, became a restricted free agent when the Los Angeles Clippers extended an $8.77 million qualifying offer in June.
New Orleans, which pursued Mathurin aggressively before Indiana dealt him to Los Angeles at February’s trade deadline, is one of two clubs that have recently checked on the former No. 6 overall pick. The second team has not been identified.
Contract and cap considerations
The Pelicans sit less than $10 million below the first luxury-tax apron. Any offer exceeding the $6.06 million taxpayer mid-level exception would hard-cap the team, making a sign-and-trade the most practical route to acquiring Mathurin.
Sending out comparable salary in a deal with the Clippers, or shedding money in a separate transaction, would allow New Orleans to use the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception. That mechanism could start Mathurin at up to $15.04 million in year one.
One scenario under consideration involves moving guard Jordan Hawkins, whose $7.02 million expiring contract could clear enough room for the Pelicans to stay below the tax line while adding Mathurin.
Mathurin’s 2025-26 production
After arriving from the Pacers in the Ivica Zubac package, Mathurin averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 26 games (28.0 minutes) for the Clippers. His three-point accuracy, however, dipped from 37.2% on 5.6 attempts with Indiana to 20.7% on 3.2 attempts in Los Angeles.
The Clippers are believed to prefer re-signing Mathurin but are reportedly waiting for clarity on a potential Kawhi Leonard trade before finalizing their plans.
Source: Hoops Rumors
