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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 23: A detailed view of the Los Angeles Clippers logo at center court before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Intuit Dome on March 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
In just a few months, Los Angeles Clippers veteran Bennedict Mathurin will become an NBA free agent.
There is a chance that the Clippers’ trade deadline pickup lands with another team after a short run out in LA. However, the Clippers have some flexibility to match any offer that Mathurin agrees to, as he’s a restricted free agent.
The Clippers aren’t going to be forced to lock in with Mathurin long-term right away. Ahead of free agency, they’ll likely extend the qualifying offer.
According to Yossi Gozlan, the initial number that Mathurin was expected to get will suddenly drop, which could be bad news, depending on how the market shakes out.
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Per Gozlan, Mathurin was looking at a potential one-year, $12.3 million deal if all else failed on the extension front. Now, that number is down to $8.8 million because he’s not meeting the “starter criteria.”
Bennedict Mathurin’s Run With The Pacers
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 31: Jay Huff #32 of the Indiana Pacers and Bennedict Mathurin #00 of the Indiana Pacers high-five against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 31, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bobby Goddin/Getty Images)
There’s a good chance Mathurin is seeing that number and not really sweating it.
The trade from the Indiana Pacers to the Clippers might’ve added a wrinkle to Mathurin’s upcoming free agency, but the league has seen enough out of him to know whether they are willing to make a long-term investment in the veteran or not.
Since 2022, Mathurin has flashed starting-level potential. During his rookie season with the Pacers, Mathurin came off the bench for all but 17 of the 78 games he played. Seeing the court for 28.5 minutes per game, Mathurin produced 16.7 points while shooting 43.4% from the field.
During the 2024-2025 season, Mathurin started 49 out of 72 games. He still averaged nearly 30 minutes of playing time when he was a reserve.
Pacers Deal Mathurin To The Clippers
GettyInglewood, CA – March 16: LA Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) looks to pass around San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Intuit Dome on Monday, March 16, 2026 in Inglewood, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
With the Pacers being undermanned in 2025-2026, Mathurin started 24 out of 28 games before he parted ways with the team. When the Clippers picked him up, Mathurin was posting averages of 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
In order for the struggling Pacers to pick up Ivica Zubac off the Clippers, Mathurin was sent to the Clippers, where he has come off the bench for 17 out of 18 games. The numbers are still up, as Mathurin is shooting 43.1% from the field to average 19.9 points.
The four-year veteran has a good chance of earning offers that blow even the original qualifying offer out of the water. But in the event the market doesn’t treat Mathurin well, the decrease could be bad news.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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