Mathurin was a restricted free agent with the Los Angeles Clippers, but according to Charania, the 24-year-old’s representatives approached the team about withdrawing their $8.8-million qualifying offer.
Charania added that Mathurin’s priority was finding the quickest path to free agency next summer versus longer-term offers, which granted more team control over his situation. Mathurin’s deal with the Pelicans includes a player option in Year 2.
As for New Orleans, Charania reported that the organization had been pursuing the Montreal native for over a year and views him as a piece that adds to a growing young core — joining Zion Williamson (age 25), Trey Murphy (25), Derik Queen (21) and Jeremiah Fears (19).
Mathurin, a sixth-overall pick in 2022, was traded to Los Angeles at the February deadline, in a deal that sent centre Ivica Zubac back to the Indiana Pacers. In 54 games split between the Clippers and Pacers, Mathurin averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
He holds career averages of 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 44.2/33/6/83.8 per cent shooting splits through four seasons.