NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings
NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings
The Los Angeles Clippers made a couple of big acquisitions at the trade deadline back in March. One of them was dynamic young scorer Bennedict Mathurin. They dealt center Ivica Zubac and forward Kobe Brown to get him. But Mathurin was on an expiring deal, and now, as a restricted free agent, he’s yet to be re-signed. If the Clippers don’t step up to the plate, they could lose him on a sign-and-trade.
Of course, so much in Clipper-Land these days depends on the outcome of the drawn-out investigation into alleged cap circumvention surrounding Kawhi Leonard. A trade of Kawhi back to the Toronto Raptors is in limbo while the league decides on any potential punishment. In the meantime, the Clippers’ summer spending plans are also in limbo until they know the results. Which takes us back to Mathurin.
According to insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints and Michael A. Scotto of HoopsHype, there are at least four teams in the mix with interest in landing Mathurin via a sign-and-trade.
All of these teams make sense, as all are in the process of rebuilding their rosters for varying reasons. Bringing in a young, athletic wing scorer like Mathurin, just 24, would be a nice piece going forward.
Bulls have the easiest path to making a deal for Mathurin, but there is competition
As one of three NBA teams operating under the salary cap, the Bulls have the $9.4 million Room Mid-Level Exception available, though coming off a $9.2 million salary this past season, Mathurin is expecting a number far in excess of that on his next deal. And as Joel Lorenzi wrote in The Athletic, “Chicago values two things at this stage: roster flexibility and acquiring future assets… The Bulls recognize how early they sit in this rebuild, and the desire for talent at any position will trump stylistic need for a roster still discovering its long-term identity.”
The Pelicans have targeted Mathurin as a primary offseason focus, though they are navigating some cap restraints, and he is out of their budget at the moment. As noted by Dylan Sanders of Roundtable Sports, they will have to move off of Jordan Hawkins or Jordan Poole first before they can consider spending on Mathurin.
The Bucks have also shown interest in Mathurin, but making a move for him presents a crowded roster logjam at guard.
The Mavericks are trying to accumulate young talent to grow with phenom Cooper Flagg, coming off his Rookie of the Year campaign. But first, they’d need to move Klay Thompson and his expiring $17.5 million contract via trade to clear the necessary financial room. Rumors of a Thompson move have been rampant of late.
Wherever he winds up, Mathurin still has a bright future, and is sure to make his mark with his new (or incumbent) team going forward. It’s just going to take some time for teams to make the necessary maneuvers to push forward with a deal.