NBA: Bennedict Mathurin Heads to Pelicans on a 2-Year, $16 Million Deal with a Player Option – Eyein

　　According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, 24-year-old scoring guard Bennedict Mathurin has agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. The second year includes a player option, giving him some serious flexibility.

　　As a restricted free agent, Mathurin originally got an $8.8 million qualifying offer from the Clippers. But his camp reportedly initiated talks to have that offer withdrawn, paving the way for a move to New Orleans. The thinking? More security, more room to play, and a fresh start.

　　Other teams threw longer deals and bigger money at him this summer, but Mathurin chose the short-term route with a player option. He’s betting on himself—plain and simple. The guy wants to hit unrestricted free agency next summer, and he’s confident he’ll be worth even more by then.

　　Charania’s sources say the Pelicans have been eyeing Mathurin for over a year. They see him as a core piece alongside Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy—not just a rental. And the move keeps their salary cap below the luxury tax line this season, which is a nice bonus for the front office.

　　Mathurin landed in L.A. last season as part of a multi-player trade involving the Pacers. Across 54 games (25 starts) with Indiana and the Clippers, he averaged a career-high 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.8 steals. When he came off the bench, he dropped 17.5 points per game—tops among all bench players with at least 20 appearances.

　　Selected sixth overall in the 2022 draft, Mathurin has played 263 career games, averaging 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Now he’s heading to New Orleans, and let’s be honest: that backcourt just got a whole lot more explosive.