Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
As the Chicago Bulls approach the fall with an open roster spot, they’ve been linked to LA Clippers restricted free agent guard Bennedict Mathurin. The Bulls’ reported interest in Mathurin, though, has been overstated, according to a league source who was granted anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations.
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. Mathurin, who turned 24 in June, remains a talented young scorer who could be worth a flyer. But Chicago values two things at this stage: roster flexibility and acquiring future assets. Mathurin made roughly $9.2 million this past season, and his next contract is widely expected to exceed that figure in annual value.
While it remains possible the Bulls use that room on Mathurin or someone else to fill their final roster spot, they remain fixated on maintaining cap and roster flexibility. Given the Bulls’ priorities, they are reluctant to enter into any long-term commitments. General manager Bryson Graham has signaled a preference for short-term deals with limited guarantees, having inked guard Norman Powell and center Zach Collins to two-year contracts with a team option in Year 2.
Marc Stein: The Pelicans and Bulls remain engaged suitors for Clippers RFA Bennedict Mathurin, says one source close to the process. The source adds: "Dallas has not expressed interest at a serious level" thus far. @MikeAScotto reported today that Milwaukee has joined the Mathurin chase.
While the Los Angeles Clippers remain interested in re-signing restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks have expressed sign-and-trade interest in the 24-year-old swingman, league sources told HoopsHype. With that said, there’s work to be done by each team if they’re going to add Mathurin.
Advertisement
Thus, New Orleans has explored the trade market on Jordan Hawkins, including discussions with the Memphis Grizzlies involving AJ Johnson, league sources told HoopsHype. Shedding Hawkins’ $7.02 million salary from their books would keep New Orleans below the luxury tax while using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to make a run at Mathurin.
The Stein Line on Tuesday learned that Chicago is Mathurin's other current suitor. You'll recall that The Stein Line also revealed recently (July 23 to be exact) that New Orleans has been trying to shed Jordan Hawkins' contract via trade to move further away from the first apron. Among the options available to the Pelicans, if they succeed in those efforts, would be opening up the use of a healthy portion of its midlevel exception to assemble an offer sheet to Mathurin.
After the publication of this story, The Stein Line heard from two sources that our Intel needed to be updated because the Pelicans — as they did before the trade deadline — have indeed shown recent interest in Mathurin as well as an unnamed second suitor. League sources relayed that there has been recent dialogue between New Orleans and Mathurin's camp.
Shamit Dua: I'll have more thoughts on this. But in a hypothetical Mathurin sign and trade that sends Herb to the Clippers, the Pelicans would be severely downgrading in terms of guys who impact winning. Herb's 3 year RAPM is +3.2, Mathurin's is -2.9. The difference equal to adding a star
The Clippers — unlike Detroit's stance with restricted free agent big man Duren — have not ruled out participating in a sign-and-trade that lands Bennedict Mathurin elsewhere. Word is they would consider that outcome as well. Yet the Clippers' preferred outcome, we hear, is striking their own deal with Mathurin.
Advertisement
The Los Angeles Clippers remain interested in re-signing restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, league sources told HoopsHype. However, the Clippers are hesitant to make significant roster decisions as Kawhi Leonard’s Aspiration investigation remains ongoing and has held up his expected trade to the Toronto Raptors.
Sources with knowledge of the talks told me Thursday that the Nuggets' sign-and-trade asking price has to this juncture been too steep for the Clippers to deeply consider. As a result, sources say, there is an increasing possibility that the Clippers opt from here to focus on re-signing their own restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin instead.
Another Western Conference executive said teams around the league are now waiting to see the Clippers’ next move. The Clippers have interest in Denver’s Peyton Watson, who is a restricted free agent. The Nuggets can match any offer sheet and want to keep Watson but could always opt for a sign-and-trade. The Clippers also want to keep their own restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, whom they acquired in the Zubac trade. -- Ohm Youngmisuk
The Clippers, league sources said, have shown legitimate interest in Watson but are also navigating their own restricted free agency situation with Bennedict Mathurin, which complicates matters. Several teams are known to have registered interest in a sign-and-trade for Watson.
