New NBA Trade Rumors on Bulls' Bennedict Mathurin Interest Amid Pelicans Buzz, Clippers Talks

The mystery suitor for Bennedict Mathurin has been revealed as the Chicago Bulls.

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the Bulls have expressed interest in Mathurin with the New Orleans Pelicans also in pursuit of the 24-year-old restricted free agent.

News of the Bulls' interest in Mathurin comes after NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Tuesday an unnamed second team entered the fray along with New Orleans.

Fischer added the Pelicans are exploring various avenues to add Mathurin, including shedding contracts to sign him to an offer sheet or work out a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Stein added one of the players New Orleans is considering trading to open up cap space is Jordan Hawkins, who is owed $7 million next season in the final year of his rookie contract.

The Bulls have had a fairly quiet offseason thus far, though there one addition was a notable one. Norman Powell signed a two-year, $45 million contract in free agency.

As a result of Powell's contract, the Bulls are hard-capped at the first apron. They are $43.7 million away from that mark, more than enough to present Mathurin with an offer sheet.

The Clippers, who acquired Mathurin from the Indiana Pacers in February, are also reportedly interested in retaining him at the right cost.

Mathurin averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in 54 appearances between the Pacers and Clippers last season.

Chicago is looking to rebound under first-year head coach Tiago Splitter after going 31-51 in 2025-26. The Bulls haven't finished over .500 and made the playoffs since 2021-22.