Mathurin lands in New Orleans on two-year, $16M deal

Bennedict Mathurin's two-year, $16 million deal with New Orleans is now on the league's official transaction log, per NBA.com. It includes a player option for the second season.

Mathurin was restricted, but his agents got the Clippers to rescind his qualifying offer, letting him sign directly instead of through an offer sheet. He reportedly turned down longer, richer offers for the shorter deal, which puts him back on the market as early as next summer.

The Pelicans cleared cap room by trading Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy and draft compensation to Memphis for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson, then waived Gibson.

The move keeps New Orleans under the luxury-tax line. ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Pelicans had pursued Mathurin for over a year and see him as part of their young core.

Hoops Rumors reports the agreement was actually reached roughly 10 days before it became public.

$16M · 2yrMathurin LAC → NOP

+ 19 reports from 8 outlets

Hoops Rumors · 15 Sept 2026Mathurin's Pelicans deal actually finalized below reported $16M

Hoops Rumors · 10 Sept 2026Mathurin's Pelicans deal now official, with player option in year two

Hoops Rumors · 5 Sept 2026Mathurin's Pelicans deal still not official 10 days later

Hoops Rumors · 29 Aug 2026Clippers drop Mathurin's qualifying offer, clearing his path to New Orleans

RealGM · 29 Aug 2026Clippers pull qualifying offer, clearing Mathurin to sign with Pelicans

Fadeaway World · 27 Aug 2026Mathurin lands in New Orleans on two-year, $16M deal

Heavy · 27 Aug 2026Mathurin picked New Orleans over an aggressive Bulls sign-and-trade push

Yahoo Sports · 26 Aug 2026Mathurin lands in New Orleans on two-year, $16M deal

ESPN · 26 Aug 2026Mathurin agrees to two-year, $16M deal with Pelicans