Bennedict Mathurin has agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans that includes a player option, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The agreement comes several months after Mathurin was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the LA Clippers in February, and it follows his path to free agency once the 2025-26 season wrapped up. He averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists across 54 games last season, splitting time between the Pacers and Clippers.
New Orleans is betting on a proven scorer who is walking into a fresh situation after spending last season adjusting to a midseason trade. A two-year structure with a player option limits risk for both sides: Mathurin gets a chance to rebuild his value in New Orleans before hitting the market again, while the Pelicans add scoring depth without a long-term financial commitment. Where Mathurin fits in New Orleans’ rotation, as a starter or as a lead scoring option off the bench, is the question training camp will start to answer.
Charania’s report is sourced through the reporting chain rather than a team confirmation, so as of this writing the agreement is reported rather than officially announced by the Pelicans.
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