New Orleans Pelicans sign Bennedict Mathurin to two-year deal

The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract with wing player Bennedict Mathurin, which includes a player option for the second year. The 24-year-old Canadian guard joins the Pelicans after a stint with the Los Angeles Clippers.

To facilitate the move, the Clippers agreed to withdraw their $8.8 million qualifying offer, which allowed Mathurin to sign as an unrestricted free agent rather than through a sign-and-trade or an offer sheet. Mathurin, a former sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, averaged 17.6 points per game last season across his time with the Indiana Pacers and the Clippers.

The Pelicans have pursued Mathurin for over a year, viewing him as a key scoring addition to their young core alongside players like Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III. The deal provides Mathurin with financial security while offering the flexibility to return to the free-agent market as early as next summer.