Pelicans Maintain Interest In Bennedict Mathurin

Mathurin – one of two restricted free agents still on the market, along with Pistons center Jalen Duren – was linked to a handful of other potential suitors earlier in the summer, including the Bucks, Mavericks, and Bulls. However, Fischer didn’t mention Milwaukee or Dallas in his latest update and downplayed the likelihood of Chicago making a play for the 24-year-old wing, indicating that the Bulls checked in to see whether there was a “buy-low” opportunity but don’t appear to maintain serious interest.

While the Pelicans are Mathurin’s “primary” suitor, per Fischer, they likely won’t be able to use their mid-level exception to accommodate a sign-and-trade for the Clippers RFA without sending out some salary of their own. New Orleans is currently operating just $5.8MM below the luxury tax line and $7.4MM below the first tax apron.

Reporting last month stated that the Pelicans are exploring trade scenarios involving swingman Jordan Hawkins, who is on a $7MM expiring contract. Hawkins is still the team’s most likely trade candidate, according to Fischer, who says he thinks New Orleans will be able to make a deal involving the former lottery pick in September.

It’s unclear whether the Pelicans would look to make a separate trade involving Hawkins before trying to work out a sign-and-trade deal for Mathurin or if Hawkins would be part of the same transaction. Either way, moving off of his salary would give New Orleans nearly $13MM in breathing room below the tax line and about $14.5MM in space below the first apron, putting the team in a better position to give Mathurin the sort of contract offer he’s seeking.

Mathurin’s fall-back option would be signing his qualifying offer to return to the Clippers. L.A. can no longer rescind that one-year, $8.8MM offer, so he has until October 1 to decide whether or not he wants to accept it. Taking that route would put the former Pacer on track for unrestricted free agency in 2027, whereas a sign-and-trade would require him to sign a contract covering at least three years.