New NBA Rumors on Potential Bennedict Mathurin Sign-and-Trade Amid Clippers Contract Talks

The Los Angeles Clippers are willing to work on a potential sign-and-trade agreement with restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

Fischer and NBA insider Marc Stein reported Thursday that the Clippers' "preferred outcome" is to re-sign Mathurin, but they haven't ruled out participating in a sign-and-trade that sends him elsewhere.

Los Angeles acquired the 24-year-old as part of a trade with the Indiana Pacers that was headlined by center Ivica Zubac joining Indiana on Feb. 5.

Mathurin primarily operated as a bench scorer throughout his tenure on the Pacers, but stepped into a larger role to open last season as star point guard Tyrese Haliburton recovered from a torn Achilles.

In 54 combined appearances with Indiana and Los Angeles during Mathurin's 2025-26 campaign, he averaged a career-high 17.6 points and 2.4 assists per game. He also shot a career-low 43.0 percent from the field and 31.5 percent from three-point territory, though.

If the Clippers aren't willing to make a financial commitment to Mathurin, they could find a sign-and-trade partner and receive assets in exchange for him.

He also has the option to accept his $8.8 million qualifying offer and stay with Los Angeles next season (h/t SI.com's Cem Yolbulan).

In that scenario, Mathurin would have the ability to veto any trade throughout the 2026-27 season.