The New Orleans Pelicans had recent contact negotiations with restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, NBA insider Marc Stein reports.
The Chicago Bulls are also showing 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 or the Bulls' 25th-ranked unit.
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.
Meanwhile, Chicago has made multiple moves to improve its roster, including signing Norman Powell to a two-year, $45-million deal and acquiring center Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets as part of a three-team trade.
