It feels like the New Orleans Pelicans have been linked to Los Angeles Clippers restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin for most of the offseason. While Mathurin is still available, it’s time for Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver to move on and focus on their current roster.
Mathurin is a good scorer, averaging over 17 points per game last season with the Clippers. He would give the Pelicans another scoring threat, but that isn’t necessarily something the Pelicans need.
New Orleans already has plenty of players who can score. Even if the Pelicans were to acquire Mathurin, they would still have Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray and even Saddiq Bey ahead of him.
The Pelicans need to focus on their current roster
New Orleans has been linked to Mathurin for a good portion of the summer. Earlier in the offseason, when there was more time to make subsequent moves, it might have made sense to try and acquire Mathurin. However, as the summer ends, the Pelicans' roster is already full, with fewer opportunities for other moves.
Most recently, the Pelicans signed guard Trent Watford. This brings the roster to 15 players, with Caleb Houstan, Christian Koloko and Kobe Bufkin competing for the final two-way spot.
At this point, Mathurin, who plays on the wing, isn’t an area the Pelicans need help with. In fact, it’s probably their deepest position. On the wing, you have Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey, Trey Murphy III, Micah Peavy, Jordan Poole, Jordan Hawkins and Bryce McGowens.
If anything, the Pelicans should be looking to trade away one or two of these guys, not adding another wing player.
This offseason has been quiet for the Pelicans. There were a lot of rumors about what the Pelicans might do, but none of it ever came to fruition. The Pelicans didn’t trade back into the first round of the draft, and both Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones are still with the team.
For better or worse, the Pelicans roster is set for training camp and the start of the 2026-2027 NBA season.
While I’m sure Dumars and Weaver are always on the lookout to add players to the team, I don’t think the current roster is lacking talent. If they can stay relatively healthy, new head coach Jamahl Mosley will have more trouble finding playing time for everyone.
There should be numerous position battles in training camp, with the shooting guard and small forward positions being up for grabs.
You have three starting-caliber players in Jones, Bey and Murphy who will be battling to see who starts the season as the starting shooting guard and small forward.
It’s time for the Pelicans to stop tinkering with the roster and start figuring out how everybody currently on the team will fit in Mosley’s rotations.
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