Bennedict Mathurin has landed in the Big Easy.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Montreal-born swingman has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Mathurin, 24, had been a restricted free agent, but Mathurin lobbied the Los Angeles Clippers to withdraw his qualifying offer.
The sixth overall selection of the 2022 NBA Draft out of Arizona, Mathurin spent the first three-plus seasons of his career with the Indiana Pacers. He was acquired by the Clippers at this past February’s trade deadline in a deal that saw Ivica Zubac go the other way. Mathurin appeared in a combined 54 games last season.
Mathurin came off of the bench in all but one of the 28 games he played with the Clippers. In Los Angeles, Mathurin averaged 17.4 points on .426 shooting with 5.5 boards and 2.5 assists over 28.0 minutes a night. For his career, Mathurin has averaged 16.2 PPG on .442 shooting, 4.7 RPG and 1.9 APG over 28.6 MPG.
Internationally, Mathurin has represented Canada at a number of levels. He is set to join the team in Quebec City ahead of the next round of 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, but he will not play. Canada plays Panama in Panama City on Aug. 27 before hosting Argentina on Aug. 31 at the Videotron Centre.
