Could the Los Angeles Clippers lose Bennedict Mathurin?
The Los Angeles Clippers went in a different direction at the 2025 NBA trade deadline, dealing James Harden and Ivica Zubac to the Eastern Conference.
Harden was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland, while Zubac went to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Isaiah Jackson, Bennedict Mathurin, and what turned out to be the fifth overall pick.
The revamp has continued in this offseason as the team signed Rui Hachimura for the rival Los Angeles Lakers, and has a trade in place that will send Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick.
While they await the NBA to make a decision on Kawhi and the investigation into his alleged "no show" sponsorship with Aspiration, the Clippers do have other business to attend to.
The Latest On Bennedict Mathurin
Mathurin is currently a restricted free agent, meaning the Clippers can match any offer sheet that might be presented to him or try to work out a sign-and-trade with another team.
According to the Stein Line Newsletter, the New Orleans Pelicans have had negotiations with Mathurin. There is also reportedly an unnamed second suitor for Mathurin's services.
Mathurin is coming off a season where he averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 54 games between the Clippers and Pacers.
His three-point shooting dipped with the Clippers as he worked through a toe injury, but he was still a strong offensive presence, especially getting to the rim and drawing fouls.
Mathurin is reportedly seeking around $20 million per season on his new deal. The Pelicans do have two exceptions worth a combined $10 million that are available to use.
Could The Clippers Lose Mathurin?
The team is likely to match any offer sheet presented to him, especially when no team is able to offer him the $20 million he is reportedly seeking.
That only leave a sign-and-trade as an option.
Despite not making the playoffs the past two seasons, the Pelicans haven't been keen on trading any of their top players.
That would leave Jordan Hawkins or Saddiq Bey as the top trade candidates for New Orleans to send Los Angeles. They might have interest in Hawkins as a buy-low guard who lost minutes last year or Bey, a strong defensive presence who offers spacing on the offensive end, but the Pelicans would have to include draft compensation as well.
Until the situation with Leonard gets clarified, the Clippers are likely in no rush to make any moves as they aren't 100% sure of their roster construction at the moment.
