Bennedict Mathurin is officially a New Orleans Pelican, and his first words about the move have fans reading between the lines.
As first reported by ClutchPoints, Mathurin told Fox 8 New Orleans’ Madeline Adams he’s glad to be somewhere he feels valued.
“It’s great to be where a team really wants me,” Mathurin said. “You know what I’m saying? It goes both ways.”
That line hits a little different when you look at his last year. The Indiana Pacers moved him midseason to the Los Angeles Clippers, in a deal that sent Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown to Indiana. Then the Clippers let him walk, even after he put up 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals across 28 games in L.A.
New Orleans scooped him up on a two-year, $16 million deal. He also made it clear he’s ready to go: “I’m thrilled. I’m very excited for the opportunity to get to play in less than three weeks.”
Was it shade? Probably not on purpose. Mathurin spent the rest of the answer praising his new teammates, coaches, front office and owner. But it’s hard to miss the chip on his shoulder.
The IAHHM Take
Being traded and then not re-signed in the same year will do something to a player. Mathurin went No. 6 overall in 2022, and he’s still just 24. That’s a young hooper who has heard twice in a few months that he wasn’t part of the plan. Wanting to feel wanted isn’t a diss. It’s human.
The fit in New Orleans makes sense, too. He’s expected to be a key bench piece, likely the sixth man, in a rotation with Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Saddiq Bey, Herbert Jones and Derik Queen. The shooting still needs work, but the scoring is real.
The Pelicans are trying to get back to the playoffs after missing them two straight years. A motivated Mathurin coming off the bench could be a big part of that push.
So what do you think: subtle jab at Indiana and L.A., or just a player happy to have a home?
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Source: ClutchPoints
