The New Orleans Pelicans have long been linked to Bennedict Mathurin, dating back to last year's trade deadline, and now that he's in restricted free agency. The draw with Mathurin is that he’s a scoring guard who can kind of shoot the three-ball and provide a spark to a Pelicans team that needs more buckets. The issue with Mathurin is that he isn’t someone who thrives off the ball, and he can't shoot well enough to be placed off the ball. When you have Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray, you need players who can play off the ball, buy into a role and space things out.
Someone who could be a better fit and version of Mathurin for New Orleans is Zach LaVine, who appears to be on incredibly thin ice with the Sacramento Kings.
According to Kings Insider James Ham on @ESPN1320, the Kings don’t have a distinct role for LaVine, and he could be bought out before the season starts. Opening the door for him to potentially come to the Bayou.
Zach LaVine was NOT promised a role with the Kings and could be bought out before the season starts, per @James_HamNBA
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 30, 2026
“They've been honest with [Zach LaVine] & said; Look, all bets are off if you opt in...We as a franchise have to make a business decision w/ regards to you—&… pic.twitter.com/dlWGZ5KzfR
LaVine fits a major need for the Pelicans
For a 31-year-old guard like LaVine, if he were bought out, the Pelicans would likely not be a suitor, as, given his age, he would likely be seeking a chance to play winning basketball. Teams like the Heat, Raptors, and Detroit, to name a few, could be likely landing spots. So for the Pelicans to have their chance at landing an ideal off-guard who is a high-level floor spacer, it’d have to come in the form of a trade.
Between Jordan Poole’s and Jordan Hawkins’ salaries, the Pelicans have the means to match LaVine’s massive $48.9 million salary.
I understand that for some, LaVine’s salary is too rich for them to want to acquire a 31-year-old who averaged just 19.2 and played only 39 games last season. But it’s one year—it’s not five. One season of a player on his salary isn’t setting this team back in the least bit.
Most people think of LaVine as a high-octane scorer who is going to take 20 shots and prioritize himself above everything else on offense, while playing mediocre defense. That’s not who he is anymore. At this stage of his career, he has shown a willingness to buy into playing off the ball and to be a real creator only when it’s desperately needed. LaVine’s career 39.1 percent three-point percentage helps him thrive in DHO’s and off-the-ball plays like floppy sets, which is exactly what this team needs.
The flip side is that, because of his past, he has the ability to handle the ball and create his own shot at an elite level, which provides something New Orleans doesn’t have off the ball. This is something that could really shine if injuries start to happen or on a night where someone needs to step up when the big dogs are having a tough night.
Having Dejounte Murray as the primary distributor while pairing him with shooters like LaVine and Trey Murphy III would be huge. For Murphy III, it would also be super beneficial, as he would no longer be the team's sole perimeter scorer.
Getting LaVine makes sense for this team no matter the direction; he’s a pro's pro, a strong voice in a locker room, and has a skill set this team needs. The only problem is that time is ticking, and if Joe Dumars wants LaVine, he’ll have to get the phones up and running and make an offer to Scott Perry and the Kings.
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