Bennedict Mathurin’s move to the New Orleans Pelicans has taken another significant step towards completion after the Los Angeles Clippers withdrew their qualifying offer to the restricted free agent.
Mathurin agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with New Orleans earlier this week, including a player option.
However, there was still one important hurdle standing between Mathurin and his new team.
The Clippers had previously extended an $8.8 million qualifying offer to Mathurin, giving Los Angeles restricted free-agent rights over the 24-year-old.
That offer has now been withdrawn, allowing Mathurin to move forward with his deal in New Orleans.
Clippers Give Up Their Matching Rights
Withdrawing the qualifying offer means Los Angeles relinquishes the control it held over Mathurin’s free agency.
Mathurin’s representatives had approached the Clippers about withdrawing the offer as the two sides worked towards a resolution that would allow him to join New Orleans.
The arrangement gives Mathurin greater security than simply playing next season on the qualifying offer while also maintaining the flexibility he was looking for.
His two-year agreement with New Orleans includes a player option, potentially giving Mathurin an opportunity to return to free agency next summer.
A Short Stay in Los Angeles Comes to an End
Mathurin only joined the Clippers during the 2025-26 season after being acquired from the Indiana Pacers in the February trade that sent Ivica Zubac to Indiana.
He appeared in 26 games for Los Angeles and averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
His Clippers career started spectacularly, with Mathurin scoring 38 points in his debut against the Denver Nuggets.
Despite his production, his time in Los Angeles will ultimately prove brief.
The Clippers’ decision to withdraw the qualifying offer now brings their involvement in Mathurin’s restricted free agency towards a conclusion.
New Orleans Gets Another Young Scorer
Mathurin gives the Pelicans an established young scorer who still has room to develop.
Originally selected sixth overall by Indiana in the 2022 NBA Draft, Mathurin has averaged 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds across his first four NBA seasons.
He averaged a career-high 17.6 points across 54 appearances for Indiana and Los Angeles during the 2025-26 campaign.
New Orleans will now be hoping Mathurin can become an important part of its rotation as the Pelicans look to improve following a 26-56 season.
Mathurin Keeps His Future Options Open
Perhaps the most interesting element of Mathurin’s contract is its flexibility.
Rather than committing himself to a longer-term agreement that would have provided greater team control, Mathurin has secured a deal that could allow him to reach unrestricted free agency as early as next summer.
A strong first season in New Orleans could therefore put him in position to test the market again.
For now, withdrawing the qualifying offer removes the major contractual obstacle standing between Mathurin and the next chapter of his NBA career.