Official signing in New Orleans
Bennedict Mathurin is now on the New Orleans Pelicans roster after formalizing his free-agent contract for the NBA 2026/27 season, with the move effective on September 10 according to NBA.com oficial, while Hoops Rumors reports a two-year agreement worth $16 million with a player option in the second season.
The Canadian guard completes a process that accelerated in mid-August and required New Orleans to execute a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies to clear salary space before registering him.
Recent path and profile
Mathurin, 24 years old and 6-foot-5, joins the Pelicans after a season split between the Indiana Pacers and LA Clippers: 54 games with averages of 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Selected sixth in the 2022 draft, the Canadian was part of the Indiana team that reached the NBA Finals in 2025.
Fit in New Orleans
With scoring punch and transition creation, Mathurin strengthens the perimeter of a Pelicans team that views him as a core piece of its young project. His short-term deal —two seasons with a potential path to the market next summer— leaves room to rebuild his value before negotiating an extension or pursuing a longer agreement elsewhere.
The signing leaves New Orleans with 14 players on guaranteed standard contracts, according to the same report, with one roster spot and one two-way slot still open before training camp.
