New NBA Trade Rumors on Bennedict Mathurin, Pelicans Links Amid Clippers Contract Talks

As Bennedict Mathurin continues to wait out restricted free agency, the New Orleans Pelicans are still floating around as a potential landing spot for the 24-year-old.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Pelicans continue to show interest in Mathurin and the two sides have had "recent dialogue" even though it's unclear if a deal is close.

Fischer added an unnamed second team has also shown interest in signing Mathurin.

Per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Los Angeles Clippers would like to retain Mathurin if it is at a price point they are comfortable with.

The Clippers' offseason is complicated by the fact they are waiting for the NBA to finish its investigation into allegations of cap circumvention with Kawhi Leonard's contract.

The Clippers and Toronto Raptors have agreed to a deal that would send Leonard to Toronto for a package that includes Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, and rights to a first-round pick swap in 2027.

Mathurin finished last season with the Clippers after being acquired in a trade with the Indiana Pacers.

The Pelicans are the only team that has consistently popped up as having interest in the 24-year-old, but it's not a surprise the longer his situation drags on that another potential suitor would pop up.

Mathurin, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 draft, has been solid through his first four NBA seasons. He averaged a career-high 17.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in 54 appearances between the Pacers and Clippers last season.