Bennedict Mathurin agrees to two-year, $16M Pelicans deal

A player option offers a path back to free agency

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Aug 261 min read

What happened: The contract includes a player option. The agreement resolves Mathurin's restricted free agency ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters: New Orleans had pursued Mathurin for more than a year and views him as a significant part of its young core. The short term limits the Pelicans' commitment while giving Mathurin control over his next contract decision.

By the numbers: The $16 million total produces an average annual value of $8 million.

What to watch: Attention shifts to Mathurin's role in New Orleans' rotation for the upcoming season.

Sources

espn.com 2026-08-26T15:06:39.173938+00:00

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