The Chicago Bulls have emerged as a potential landing spot for restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, adding another team to the race for one of the more intriguing young scorers still available this offseason.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported Tuesday that Chicago has joined the New Orleans Pelicans as a known suitor for Mathurin. The Los Angeles Clippers retain matching rights after extending him a qualifying offer, giving them the ability to match any offer sheet or pursue a sign-and-trade if they determine that is the preferred outcome.
Mathurin reached restricted free agency after completing his four-year, $29.9 million rookie contract. According to Jake Fischer, the Clippers remain interested in bringing back the 23-year-old but have also been willing to discuss sign-and-trade possibilities with interested teams.
Chicago’s reported interest aligns with the franchise’s aggressive offseason overhaul. After finishing 31-51 and missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season, the Bulls replaced Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas with Bryson Graham and hired Tiago Splitter as head coach. The new front office has emphasized building around a younger core while maintaining financial flexibility.
The Bulls also reshaped their roster during the summer by drafting Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 overall pick and Dailyn Swain at No. 15, while acquiring defensive center Nic Claxton and signing veteran scorer Norman Powell. Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis remain foundational pieces after productive 2025-26 campaigns.
Giddey averaged 17.0 points, 9.1 assists and 8.3 rebounds across 54 games last season, while Buzelis contributed 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over all 77 starts. Powell’s arrival adds another proven perimeter scorer after averaging more than 21 points per game with the Miami Heat last season.
Mathurin would fit the organization’s emphasis on adding young offensive talent. Across 54 games split between the Indiana Pacers and Clippers in 2025-26, he averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 30.0 minutes per game while shooting 43.0% from the field and 86.9% from the free-throw line.
His production remained consistent after being traded to Los Angeles. In 26 appearances with the Clippers, including one start, Mathurin posted 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Although he shot just 20.7% from three-point range after the trade, he converted 50.2% of his two-point attempts and averaged 7.3 free-throw attempts, highlighting his ability to attack the rim and generate efficient scoring opportunities.
Over four NBA seasons, Mathurin has established himself as a reliable offensive contributor, averaging 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in 263 regular-season games. His combination of downhill scoring, athleticism and ability to draw fouls makes him one of the more attractive restricted free agents still available.
The Pelicans remain firmly in the mix after opening negotiations with Mathurin earlier this week as they seek to improve a roster that finished 26-56 and 11th in the Western Conference. Chicago’s emergence creates additional competition, though any potential agreement would still require the Clippers to either decline matching rights or cooperate in a sign-and-trade.
