The Pelicans Finally Make a Move for Bennedict Mathurin
The Big News: Pelicans Get Mathurin
Well, well, well! Look who finally decided to make a move! The New Orleans Pelicans, who spent last season lounging a whopping 11 games away from the play-in spots, are shaking things up. With free agency dwindling and perhaps a dash of urgency in the air, they’re bringing in Bennedict Mathurin. Yep, that’s right! The Pelicans have snagged him for a cool $16 million over two seasons. Sounds great, right? But wait, there’s a twist!
The Salary Twist
Here’s where it gets interesting: that $16 million deal includes a player option for the second year. So, math time! That breaks down to $8 million annually, which is actually a bargain for Mathurin, who recently passed on an $8.8 million qualifying offer with the Clippers. Rumor has it he might only stick around at that price for a year. After that, the Pelicans might be shelling out some serious cash next season. Hold on to your wallets, folks!
A Year in the Making
According to the ever-reliable Shams Charania, Mathurin has been on New Orleans’ radar for over a year now. They think he’s the missing puzzle piece that could help their young core level up. So, maybe they aren’t sweating the idea of offering him a mid-level contract down the line. Who knows, right?
Mathurin’s Rollercoaster Journey
Now, let’s talk about Mathurin for a sec. After parting ways with Indiana in a not-so-glorious fashion and failing to live up to the hype in his rookie season, he found himself in a bit of a pickle last season with the Clippers. He wrapped up his stint there with a colorful 26-game performance that wasn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard. His shooting efficiency hit a questionable low. But hey, it’s just a small sample size, so we won’t judge too harshly!
Conclusion: Will This Be the Spark the Pelicans Need?
So, will this be the game-changer the Pelicans have been waiting for? Only time will tell, folks. With all this excitement brewing, let’s keep our fingers crossed and see where this adventure takes Mathurin and the Pelicans. Stay tuned!
