Bennedict Mathurin didn’t need long to put the Clippers on notice.
In his first preseason game with the New Orleans Pelicans, the former lottery pick turned in 13 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds, shooting 3-for-5 from the field and 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. It was the kind of all-around showing that hinted at growth on both ends of the floor and, by extension, served as an immediate reminder to LA of what it let slip away.
The Clippers’ decision to let Mathurin walk for nothing already looked shaky on the surface. It looked even worse when the contract number came into focus. Mathurin settled for roughly $8 million annually with New Orleans, a price tag the Clippers surely could have matched and then some.
That’s what makes this so hard to explain. Mathurin is 24, athletic, and already knows how to put the ball in the basket at the highest level. He has an All-Star ceiling, and those kinds of players do not come around often.
He’s also already shown exactly why teams regret leaving him alone. Mathurin has had plenty of standout nights, including a 38-point performance against the Denver Nuggets, and the Clippers saw that production up close. Still, the front office chose to move on.
Now he lands in a situation that only seems likely to help him. The Pelicans have a young environment and a strong support system, with a smart head coach in Jamahl Mosley and an excellent developmental staff.
The timing only sharpens the mistake for LA. Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal, Jordan Miller, Max Strus, and Jordan Miller are injured, which means the Clippers could have used Mathurin even more at the start of the season.
For a team that already made plenty of questionable moves - re-signing Bradley Beal after he declined his player option, picking up the team option on Brook Lopez, and failing to add a competent backup power forward - the Mathurin decision stands out above the rest.
At this point, it’s hard to see it any other way: not keeping Bennedict Mathurin is shaping up to be the Clippers’ biggest mistake of the summer.
In Other News...
Clippers Bring Back A Familiar Name As Roster Battle Takes Shape
The Clippers have filled one of their open preseason roster spots by bringing back a familiar name in wing Jahmyl Telfort, signing him to an Exhibit 10 contract as the team continues sorting through its 21-man camp group. Telfort already knows the organization well, having spent time with the Clippers before, and this move gives Los Angeles another look at a player who has already been in its system.
Telfort is expected to head back to the San Diego Clippers, where the arrangement gives him a path to keep developing within the organization. Exhibit 10 deals are often less about immediate NBA roster impact than they are about finding the right fit for the G League pipeline, and for the Clippers, this is another low-risk way to keep a familiar wing around while the preseason roster battle plays out. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers May Face A Tough Roster Decision After Blake Wesley's Start
Blake Wesleys strong preseason opener gave the Clippers something to think about beyond just another encouraging exhibition showing. With training camp winding down, his play has at least raised the question of whether he can force his way into a team that already has a full 15-man roster and very little obvious wiggle room.
The roster crunch matters even more because the Clippers are expected to be without several players when the season opens, which only sharpens the need for usable depth. If the team wants to keep Wesley around, it may have to clear space through a deal, and a few established names could wind up in the conversation as the front office weighs fit, availability and long-term value. [Read more 🡒]