Why the Clippers Need to Retain Bennedict Mathurin

Upon trading Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers during last season’s trade deadline, one of the main pieces the Clippers received in return was Bennedict Mathurin.

Bennedict Mathurin is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard that averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists off the bench for the Clippers in 26 games. The Clippers can definitely use some microwave scoring off the bench and Mathurin can produce in the short term. At just 24-years-old, Mathurin is yet to hit his prime and show what he can be for the Clippers in the long-term. Based on his impact on a team that went to the NBA finals in year three, it is safe to say that letting Mathurin go this early would be very premature.

Mathurin played 30+ minutes with the Clippers in 11 out of his 26 games. In those 11 games he averaged 21.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. 10 of these 11 games came off the bench. These are prime Lou Williams for the Clippers level production off the bench. If the Clippers decided to start him next season and give him enough leeway to develop, there is no ceiling to tell how many points he is capable of averaging.

The Clippers also need to make sure they maximize their returns during this soft rebuild phase. If they let Mathurin go for free, this makes the Zubac trade appear more subpar. If the Clippers trade the 2029 Indiana first round pick to the Nuggets for Peyton Watson as rumored, this makes the overall return of the Zubac trade to be Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, Keaton Wagler, Peyton Watson, and a 2028 second-round pick. This is a phenomenal return for a great player in Ivica Zubac who was having a down-year by the time he got traded. Considering Mathurin’s expected turnout appears to be a Sixth Man of the Year level player while his ultimate ceiling can be an Anthony Edwards lite, this is not a player you should let go for free.

Mathurin also perfectly fits the timeline of this Clippers team. At just 24-years-old, he’s 20 days younger than our recent rookie Kobe Sanders. He is also three years younger than both Darius Garland and Jordan Miller. The team desperately needs young players with his type of upside to be developed to see what sticks.

Bennedict Mathurin has shown enough flashes during his short tenure with the Clippers for the team to go all-in on including him during this soft rebuild. Factoring in his age, upside, and expected salary, letting go of the rising star will be a huge mistake.