Bennedict Mathurin gets a fresh start with Pelicans on reported $16 million contract

Bennedict Mathurin is headed to New Orleans, giving the Pelicans another athletic scoring option on the wing as the 24-year-old looks to build on the strongest statistical season of his NBA career.

According to ESPN, Mathurin has agreed to a two-year contract worth $16 million with the Pelicans. The deal reportedly includes a player option, giving the former No. 6 overall draft pick additional flexibility as he enters the next stage of his career.

A new opportunity after a season split between two teams

Mathurin arrives in New Orleans after a season that took him from the Indiana Pacers to the Los Angeles Clippers following a major trade deadline move.


The Pacers dealt Mathurin to the Clippers on February 5 as part of a multi-player transaction that sent center Ivica Zubac to Indiana. The move gave Mathurin another opportunity to contribute on a new roster during a season in which he continued to develop his all-around game.

Across his combined time with Indiana and Los Angeles, Mathurin appeared in 54 games and made 25 starts. He averaged a career-high 17.6 points per game, along with 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

Those numbers made the season an important one for the Canadian wing, who has steadily established himself as a reliable offensive contributor since entering the NBA.

Bennedict Mathurin brings scoring experience to New Orleans

The Pelicans will be adding a player who has already shown he can handle a significant offensive workload.

Mathurin has appeared in 263 NBA games since being selected sixth overall by the Pacers in the 2022 NBA Draft. Over that span, he has averaged 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds while making 110 starts.

His career began with considerable expectations after Indiana used a top-six pick on the Montreal native. Mathurin quickly showed an ability to attack the basket, draw fouls and score in transition, while also developing into a more complete perimeter player.

His career-best production last season suggests there could still be room for further growth.

For New Orleans, that combination of age and experience could make Mathurin an intriguing addition. At 24, he is young enough to remain part of the team's longer-term plans while already having several seasons of NBA experience behind him.

The player option adds flexibility to the deal

The reported contract is for two years and $16 million, with a player option included.

That structure gives Mathurin the ability to potentially reassess his future after the first year, depending on his role, performance and the direction of the Pelicans.

Player options have become an increasingly common feature in NBA contracts, particularly for players entering important stages of their careers. For Mathurin, a productive season in New Orleans could create an opportunity to return to the market under potentially different circumstances.

The agreement also represents a relatively short-term commitment for the Pelicans, allowing the franchise to add another established scorer without tying itself to a lengthy contract.

From Montreal to a new chapter in New Orleans

Mathurin's journey to the Pelicans has already included several significant stops.

Born in Montreal, he emerged as one of the top prospects in his draft class before Indiana selected him with the sixth pick in 2022. His early NBA years were spent establishing himself with the Pacers, where he became a regular part of the team's rotation and developed into a consistent scorer.

The February trade that sent him to the Clippers added another chapter to his career. Now, after playing for three teams in a relatively short period, Mathurin will have another chance to settle into a role and make an impact with the Pelicans.

His arrival also gives New Orleans another versatile perimeter option capable of contributing as both a starter and a high-volume scoring presence off the bench, depending on how the roster takes shape.

What Mathurin's signing could mean for the Pelicans

The biggest question now is how New Orleans plans to use Mathurin.

His ability to score, rebound from the wing position and contribute as a starter or reserve gives the Pelicans options. His career-high 17.6 points per game last season also suggest he has the potential to take on a meaningful offensive role when given consistent opportunities.

The Pelicans will be hoping that a change of scenery can help Mathurin build on that momentum rather than simply repeat it.

For Mathurin, the move offers a fresh start and another opportunity to prove that he can become more than a productive scorer. At 24, he is still at an age when improvement can significantly reshape a player's long-term value.

If he can translate last season's career-best production into a stable role in New Orleans, the reported two-year, $16 million contract could turn into an important stepping stone for both Mathurin and the Pelicans.

The signing also adds another storyline to watch as New Orleans shapes its roster for the future. Mathurin has already demonstrated that he can score at an NBA level. His next challenge will be determining how large a role he can carve out — and whether New Orleans becomes the place where the former top-six pick takes another significant step forward.