NBA 2026-27 offseason trades, signings & rumors

[Goldstar88]

Mathurin would have been a nice piece for the Cs. Averaged  18pts/5rebs/2 ast last year. He is still young, too. Just turned 24.

[Ilikesports17]

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
?
30s
Bennedict Mathurin has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, including a player option, sources tell ESPN.

Mathurin?s reps approached the Clippers about withdrawing his $8.8M qualifying offer, effectively turning the QO into a more favorable situation in New Orleans with added security. Mathurin prioritized flexibility and the earliest path to unrestricted free agency next summer versus longer term offers with larger total commitments but greater team control.

Is the second year a player option?  Otherwise, why not just take the qualifying offer?

https://www.nba.com/news/bennedict-mathurin-free-agency-2026

Yes year 2 player option

[Who]

I hope New Orleans start Mathurin and move Herb Jones to the bench instead. Herb Jones has been playing badly. He does not deserve to keep that starting slot.

G: Dejounte Murray, Jeremiah Fears
G: Ben Mathurin, Jordan Poole, Jordan Hawkins
F: Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones
F: Zion Williamson, Seddiq Bey
C: Derik Queen, Yves Missi

They also have DeAndre Jordan as their version of Udonis Haslem / Mike Conley aka "player coach".

Mathurin helps give them some more balance. A SG with legit size. A SG who an offensive game unlike Herb Jones. So that is good.

The overall balance in the squad is still poor though. The lack of shooting in that backcourt and Herb Jones. Neither Mathurin or Trey Murphy are passers. J Poole is the only passer on the wing. Although they do have Zion at PF to help cover that limitation.

The big man defense is going to be a huge problem for them too. Zion and Bey are both below average defenders. Queen and Missi are among the worst defenders in the league at center. Zion has the most defensive chops of the four of them. He has the best chance of being an average defender.

[Goldstar88]

I hope New Orleans start Mathurin and move Herb Jones to the bench instead. Herb Jones has been playing badly. He does not deserve to keep that starting slot.

G: Dejounte Murray, Jeremiah Fears
G: Ben Mathurin, Jordan Poole, Jordan Hawkins
F: Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones
F: Zion Williamson, Seddiq Bey
C: Derik Queen, Yves Missi

They also have DeAndre Jordan as their version of Udonis Haslem / Mike Conley aka "player coach".

Mathurin helps give them some more balance. A SG with legit size. A SG who an offensive game unlike Herb Jones. So that is good.

The overall balance in the squad is still poor though. The lack of shooting in that backcourt and Herb Jones. Neither Mathurin or Trey Murphy are passers. J Poole is the only passer on the wing. Although they do have Zion at PF to help cover that limitation.

The big man defense is going to be a huge problem for them too. Zion and Bey are both below average defenders. Queen and Missi are among the worst defenders in the league at center. Zion has the most defensive chops of the four of them. He has the best chance of being an average defender.

I doubt Bey loses his starting job after having a career year.  He averaged 18pts/6rebs/3ast with 45/37/84 shooting splits. I think the starting lineup will be: Murray, Murphy, Bey, Zion, Queen.