Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) reacts after scoring a basket and drawing the foul against the New York Knicks during the second half at Intuit Dome.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bulls may possess one of the clearest paths to acquiring Bennedict Mathurin if the Los Angeles Clippers ultimately decide to facilitate a sign-and-trade.
As Los Angeles continues to navigate uncertainty surrounding Kawhi Leonard's future and Mathurin's restricted free agency, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel believes Chicago's potential offer stands apart from the rest of the field.
In his latest report, Siegel outlined why the Bulls could present one of the most straightforward trade frameworks available to the Clippers.
“Multiple teams have registered a level of interest in Mathurin to this point,” Siegel wrote. “The New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks are among those who have registered interest in the 24-year-old, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Sources say the Detroit Pistons had also inquired about Mathurin around the time of NBA Summer League but are not pursuing him.”
Siegel noted that if the Clippers agree to move Mathurin in a sign-and-trade, they will expect meaningful value in return rather than simply accommodating another franchise.
Among the reported suitors, New Orleans appears limited by its available trade assets. Siegel wrote that unless the Pelicans are willing to include Yves Missi, Saddiq Bey or Herb Jones — an outcome he described as highly unlikely — draft picks would represent the primary return for Los Angeles. The Pelicans also sit just $8.2 million below the luxury tax threshold, meaning additional salary would likely need to be moved to complete a deal.
Chicago's situation is different.
Why Bulls stand out in Bennedict Mathurin sweepstakes
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LA Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The Bulls still possess their $9.3 million room mid-level exception, but Mathurin is expected to command a contract closer to the full mid-level exception at roughly $15 million annually. Because of that, Siegel believes a sign-and-trade is the most realistic avenue.
“Giving up Isaac Okoro and some second-round picks would likely be enough to get the Clippers to sign off on a Mathurin sign-and-trade,” Siegel wrote. “This is definitely one of the smoothest and easiest paths to a deal for Los Angeles.”
The report aligns with previous offseason speculation connecting Chicago to Mathurin. The Bulls explored trading for him before last season's deadline, and interest has continued under the organization's new basketball operations leadership.
For the Clippers, the Mathurin situation remains intertwined with the unresolved Kawhi Leonard investigation and the anticipated trade sending the franchise star back to the Toronto Raptors. Until the NBA provides clarity on that process, Los Angeles remains limited in how aggressively it can reshape its roster.
If the Clippers ultimately decide not to retain Mathurin, Siegel's report suggests Chicago may currently offer the cleanest and most practical sign-and-trade framework among the teams pursuing the 24-year-old wing.