Bennedict Mathurin has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, including a player option, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Mathurin's representatives approached the LA Clippers about withdrawing his $8.8 million qualifying offer, allowing him to find a more favorable situation in New Orleans with added security.
Mathurin, 24, prioritized flexibility and the earliest path to unrestricted free agency next summer versus longer-term offers with larger total commitments but greater team control.
The Pelicans have aggressively pursued Mathurin for over a year and view him as a significant part of their young core while the deal also keeps New Orleans below the luxury tax line this season.
Mathurin was acquired last season by the Clippers in the multiplayer trade that sent center Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers.
Last season, he averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.8 steals (all career highs) in 54 games (25 starts) combined for the Pacers and Clippers. He averaged 17.5 points when coming off the bench last season, which was the most in the NBA (minimum 20 games)
Selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2022 draft by the Pacers, Mathurin has averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 263 games over four seasons.
