It might have taken longer than expected, but Bennedict Mathurin finally found a home in free agency. Him joining the New Orleans Pelicans should invite questions about what other roster changes could be on the way down in Louisiana. That includes both in the immediate and more distant future.
Shams Charania reported that Mathurin is inking a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pelicans, including a player option. With the Los Angeles Clippers holding his restricted free agent rights, people immediately wondered what extra steps were coming to complete this one. It turns out, that part of it should actually be pretty straightforward.
Brett Siegel said the Clippers are in the process of pulling Mathurin's qualifying offer, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent and join the Pelicans outright. Even so, that is not the end of the story for two main reasons.
For one, the Pelicans already have a full 15-man roster. Furthermore, they do not have the financial wiggle room to complete the Mathurin signing without shedding salary to do so. That guarantees someone will be on the move.
That should pique the interest of the Los Angeles Lakers. Granted, they might actually be far more inclined to follow along with the future impact this deal has, rather than the immediate.
Bennedict Mathurin signing could open the door for a Lakers trade
In the immediate future, anyone looking at the Pelicans roster will quickly pinpoint Jordan Hawkins as the odd man out. The young guard needs a fresh environment, and New Orleans has been previously reported to be exploring their trade options with him.
Granted, that is not the only path they could take. Yossi Gozlan projected Mathurin's deal puts the Pelicans above the first apron, at which they are hard capped. Looking at the numbers, shedding one of their current contracts should give them the extra wiggle room.
In the immediate future, could that make someone like Karlo Matković available for trade?
The Lakers were known to be searching for another backup center. The Pelicans big man was floated as a potential target.
Beyond that immediate fallout, it will be interesting to see how Mathurin reshuffles the pecking order for the Pelicans rotation. Could someone like Saddiq Bey or maybe even longtime Laker target Herb Jones become available by next year's trade deadline?
If so, the Lakers would be more than justified to pick up the phone and gauge the value of either guy. One way or another, Mathurin joining the Pelicans could prove to have a ripple effect that makes its way to Los Angeles eventually.
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