Bennedict Mathurin leaving Clippers for Pelicans

Bennedict Mathurin’s stay with the Clippers appears to be short-lived. 

Per ESPN, Mathurin has left LA to sign a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pelicans.

It’s a nice pickup for New Orleans and a tough loss for the Clippers, who basically are losing Mathurin to hang onto Bradley Beal in what has become a crowded backcourt.

Mathurin’s impending departure changes that a little. At just 24, he offered athleticism, toughness and 17.5 points per game after a February trade with the Pacers. Now, LA is losing him for nothing.

His agents actually approached the Clippers and requested that they withdraw his qualifying offer so he could sign with the Pelicans, per ESPN.

The outlet added that New Orleans remains above the luxury-tax line even after adding Mathurin.

He joins a team that made few changes, and remains built around Zion Williamson, along with key contributors such as Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones.

Is it enough to get the Pelicans to the playoffs under new coach Jamahl Mosley? Probably not. But you’d think they’re probably closer.

Meanwhile, assuming the Clippers and Raptors are eventually able to complete the Kawhi Leonard trade, they will have an almost entirely new team. At least, they will when compared to the start of last season.

Interestingly, one of those new players for the Clippers is Brandon Ingram, who is coming in the Toronto trade. Ingram was a Pelicans star just a couple seasons ago.

Mathurin’s new deal includes a player option.