Pelicans reach 2-year, $16 million deal with wing player Bennedict Mathurin, AP source says

The New Orleans Pelicans have reached a two-year, $16 million agreement with high-scoring wing player Bennedict Mathurin, according to an AP source. Mathurin, 24, was previously traded from Indiana to the Los Angeles Clippers last season and averaged 17.6 points during his time in Los Angeles. The 6-foot-5, four-year NBA veteran from Arizona has a career average of 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds since being drafted sixth overall by Indiana in 2022.

This significant move, orchestrated by second-year basketball operations chief Joe Dumars, marks the Pelicans' most substantial offseason transaction since trading their first-round pick in 2025 to draft Derik Queen 13th overall. Mathurin, a restricted free agent, agreed to the deal after the Clippers withdrew their $8.8 million qualifying offer.