Pelicans Clear Cap Space
Pelicans Trade Jordan Hawkins and Clear Cap Space for Bennedict Mathurin Deal
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Key Points
1
Jordan Hawkins’ production fell to career lows during the 2025-26 season: 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 13.6 minutes per game, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Shams Charania’s report.
2
Micah Peavy, selected 40th overall by New Orleans in the 2025 draft, appeared in 61 games as a rookie and averaged 4.3 points in 15 minutes per game.
3
Memphis had reportedly been interested in Hawkins since July, and Marc Stein reported that AJ Johnson’s contract becoming eligible for aggregation helped facilitate the timing of the trade.
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Hawkins was a key contributor to UConn’s 2022-23 national championship team, averaging 16.2 points and shooting 38.3% from 3-point range on 7.6 attempts per game; Memphis could use him as an off-ball movement shooter in Tuomas Iisalo’s offense.
5
Taj Gibson, 41, is the NBA’s second-oldest active player behind LeBron James and will join his ninth franchise during a 17-year career.
The New Orleans Pelicans traded guard Jordan Hawkins, forward Micah Peavy, and two draft picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for guard AJ Johnson and veteran forward Taj Gibson, according to The New York Times. The deal clears roughly $5.7 million in salary cap space, giving New Orleans room to sign free agent Bennedict Mathurin to a two-year, $16 million contract.
Hawkins, the No. 14 pick in 2023, struggled this season with just 5.1 points and 13.6 minutes per game, ESPN reported. Memphis had shown interest in Hawkins since July and gets two young players plus draft assets in the swap.
Hawkins Slides Out After Career Low Season
Hawkins averaged 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 13.6 minutes per game during the 2025-26 season, marking his worst production since entering the NBA, per ESPN. The guard appeared in 59 games but saw his role shrink significantly as the Pelicans' rotation shifted. New Orleans drafted him 14th overall three years ago with high hopes.
At UConn, Hawkins was a star, helping win the 2023 national championship while averaging 16.2 points and shooting 38.3% from three-point range. Memphis believes he can return to form as an off-ball shooter in their offensive system.
Peavy's Rookie Year Ends in Memphis Trade
Micah Peavy, selected 40th overall in the 2025 draft, appeared in 61 games as a rookie and averaged 4.3 points in 15 minutes per game, The Score reported. The forward struggled to find consistent playing time with New Orleans but gets a fresh start in Memphis alongside Hawkins.
Grizzlies Add Young Depth for Aging Veterans
Memphis sends two aging players to New Orleans to clear space for younger talent. Taj Gibson, 41, becomes the NBA's second-oldest active player behind LeBron James and joins his ninth franchise in a 17-year career. AJ Johnson, traded multiple times since being selected 23rd in 2024, heads to New Orleans.
The Grizzlies reportedly showed long-standing interest in Hawkins, and Marc Stein noted that Johnson's contract becoming eligible for salary aggregation helped facilitate the deal's timing. New Orleans gains cap flexibility while Memphis invests in potential upside.
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