LA Clippers restricted free agent guard Bennedict Mathurin is close to finalizing where he'll play next season. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer on a recent livestream for Bleacher Report, Mathurin is choosing between signing the qualifying offer with the Clippers or joining the New Orleans Pelicans via sign-and-trade.

The Pelicans have been linked to Mathurin throughout the offseason. New Orleans is reportedly exploring trades to move Jordan Hawkins and his $7 million salary. That would move the Pelicans to nearly $13 million under the luxury tax. Given the team has never paid the tax in franchise history, it's unlikely they would do so this season.

New Orleans could offer Mathurin a chunk of the Non-Taxpayer MLE in a sign-and-trade deal. The Pelicans have the full $15 million remaining of the NTMLE.

Signing the qualifying offer for Mathurin would see him paid $8.7 million for the upcoming season. The veteran shooting guard would then be an unrestricted free agent in 2027. In addition, Mathurin would have a one-year no-trade clause, as he would lose his Bird rights if traded after signing the qualifying offer.