Bennedict Mathurin, Pelicans Reportedly Agree to Contract amid Clippers Qualifying Offer Rumors

The New Orleans Pelicans and ex-Los Angeles Clippers wing Bennedict Mathurin have agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Clippers previously tendered Mathurin a qualifying offer, making him a free agent. Insider Jake Fischer reported Wednesday that the Clippers "haven't yet withdrawn" the qualifying offer but "will indeed work with Mathurin" to facilitate his move to New Orleans.

The 6'5" Mathurin averaged a career-high 17.6 points on 43.0 percent shooting (31.5 percent from three), 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 54 games (25 starts) last season.

The Indiana Pacers selected the former Arizona star with the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. The 24-year-old played three-plus seasons in Indiana and helped the Pacers reach the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and the 2025 NBA Finals.

On Feb. 5, 2026, the Pacers traded him to the Clippers in a multi-player and multi-pick deal that, of note, sent center Ivica Zubac to Indiana. Mathurin served as the Clippers' sixth man, averaging 17.4 PPG.

The Pelicans and Mathurin were initially linked on July 28. NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that New Orleans continued to show interest in the former University of Arizona star, to the point that the Pels and Mathurin had "recent dialogue." However, it wasn't clear at the time if a deal was close.

In the end, a deal was reached, culminating in a long-standing pursuit, per Charania.

New Orleans certainly likes Mathurin's potential as showcased during his four NBA seasons, and now he might be a core piece of its future.