The New Orleans Pelicans had recent contact negotiations with restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, NBA insider Marc Stein reports.
New Orleans and another unnamed suitor have shown interest in the Los Angeles Clippers forward, adds Stein.
Los Angeles acquired Mathurin in February from the Indiana Pacers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade. The 24-year-old settled in nicely with the Clippers, averaging 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and one steal across 26 appearances.
Whether Mathurin starts or comes off the bench, the Canadian would provide a much-needed scoring punch to the Pelicans' 20th-ranked offense.
New Orleans has yet to make a major addition to last season's 26-56 squad. The Pelicans re-signed veteran center DeAndre Jordan and declined their $8-million team option for fellow big man Kevon Looney.
