Pelicans reportedly agree with Bennedict Mathurin on a two-year, $16 million deal

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly nearing an agreement with Bennedict Mathurin on a two-year contract worth $16 million, a move that would give the team another rotation wing and settle a tense restricted free-agent situation. The report also indicates the Los Angeles Clippers are expected to withdraw the qualifying offer they extended, clearing the path for Mathurin to sign in New Orleans.

Mathurin’s status as a restricted free agent is central to the framework described in the report. Because a team holds certain rights in that scenario, the Clippers were described as having leverage, and the decision to withdraw the qualifying offer is presented as the trigger that allows the outside team to complete the deal.

For weeks, the pursuit appeared to narrow to a small set of possibilities, with New Orleans portrayed as the primary outside destination while the Clippers held the more immediate “power” associated with restricted free agency. That context matters because it shapes how teams can negotiate, and it affects how quickly the player’s next contract can be finalized.

The report frames the expected outcome as a resolution in what had been described as a competitive recruitment dynamic, with New Orleans and Los Angeles positioned as the main parties. While the story is still being reported as an agreement rather than an official league announcement, the specific terms cited, two years and $16 million, suggest New Orleans believes it can lock in a defined role for Mathurin rather than wait for broader market action.

From a roster perspective, the Pelicans would be adding a wing option at a time when teams often look to balance shot creation with size and defensive versatility. Without additional confirmed details beyond the contract framework in the report, it is not possible to state what exact role Mathurin is expected to have, but securing a multi-season deal typically indicates the team sees longer-term fit.

For the Clippers, the expected withdrawal of the qualifying offer points to a choice to avoid tying up leverage without a pathway to retaining the player. That outcome can alter a team’s offseason priorities, particularly if they were planning to either match a reasonable expectation of retention or pivot to other targets after the final decision.

What to watch next is confirmation from the NBA transaction system, team announcements, or an official statement from either club that the agreement is fully executed. Until then, the details should be treated as reported terms rather than fully verified contract language. The deal’s finalization would also help clarify how New Orleans intends to structure minutes among its wing group for the upcoming season.