New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) dribbles the ball court against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Smoothie King Center.
Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Pelicans are making yet another roster move ahead of the 2026-27 season, as they traded Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy to the Memphis Grizzlies in a four-player deal.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Pelicans are sending Hawkins, Peavy, a future second-round pick, and a future second-round pick swap to the Grizzlies in exchange for A.J. Johnson and Taj Gibson.
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: A.J Johnson, Taj Gibson
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, future second-round pick, future second-round pick swap
The move is not just about trying to change personnel; it also gives the Pelicans a little bit of additional flexibility and clears roster space as they get ready to complete a two-year, $16 million deal with Bennedict Mathurin.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that the Pelicans save approximately $5.7 million in salary through this trade, which is an important consideration as the Pelicans manage the luxury tax line and the first apron.
For Hawkins, this trade is the end of a three-year stay in New Orleans. The 24-year-old was selected with the number 14 overall pick in the 2023 draft, and he entered the league as a high-level shooter after helping UConn win a national title.
But his role decreased big time last season. Hawkins averaged 5.1 points in 51 games while playing just 13.6 minutes per game. This was a big drop from the previous season, when he averaged 10.8 points in 23.6 minutes per game.
The Pelicans have reportedly been looking at trade possibilities involving Hawkins since July, and the Grizzlies had been mentioned as a potential destination.
Peavy, meanwhile, heads to the Grizzlies after just one season with the Pelicans. The 6-foot-7 wing was selected in the second round of the 2025 draft and played in 61 games as a rookie, averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds.
And in return, the Pelicans get yet another guard to evaluate in Johnson.
The 21-year-old was the number 21 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, but his career has already had plenty of movement. He was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks before he was traded to the Washington Wizards, then to the Dallas Mavericks, and then to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Now the Pelicans will be his fifth team in just three seasons.
Johnson was part of the Anthony Davis blockbuster deal between the Wizards and the Mavericks before Dallas decided to trade him to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal involving Santi Aldama. His two-month aggregation restriction lifted on Tuesday, which allowed him to be included in the deal.
Gibson brings an entirely different NBA profile. The 41-year-old has played in 17 NBA seasons and played 10 games for the Grizzlies last season. At this stage of his career, the biggest value that might come through him is veteran leadership and frontcourt depth.
For the Grizzlies, this gives them two younger wings and additional second-round draft value, but they will have to make roster decisions before opening night because they currently sit above the 15-player minimum with several guaranteed contracts.
For the Pelicans, this primarily is a flexibility move: they get off Hawkins’ contract, move Peavy, and create room for Mathurin’s signing, while still having a low-risk look at Johnson’s potential.
Hawkins was never established as a consistent part of the rotation in New Orleans, and now both sides seem to get a fresh start.