The New Orleans Pelicans have traded Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy to the Memphis Grizzlies in a four-player deal, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. New Orleans receives A.J. Johnson and Taj Gibson, plus a swap of future second-round picks. The trade saves the Pelicans $5.7 million in salary – enough room to bring in Bennedict Mathurin on a two-year, $16 million contract.
What both teams are getting
Hawkins, 23, was the No. 14 overall pick in the 2023 draft out of UConn. Three seasons in New Orleans produced steady but unspectacular numbers: 8.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 34.8% shooting from three across 18 minutes per game. Memphis adds a young wing with upside and a defined role.
Johnson, 21, is already on his fourth team – drafted by Milwaukee in 2024, shuffled through Washington and Dallas before landing in Memphis last July. A 6-foot-5 guard with athleticism the Pelicans can develop. Gibson, 41, brings 17 seasons of veteran credibility to New Orleans but is expected to be waived promptly once the cap savings are confirmed.
The bigger picture for New Orleans
The Pelicans come off a rough 2025-26 campaign hit hard by injuries. Zion Williamson missed significant time, Brandon Ingram departed in free agency, and the team missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. This deal is less about acquiring players and more about reshaping the roster around a leaner salary structure heading into camp.
Mathurin, 24, averaged 17.8 points for Indiana before entering free agency. The Canadian wing gives New Orleans a proven scorer who fits their offensive system – a straight upgrade over what Hawkins provided off the bench.
Training camp opens September 29. The Pelicans are building with cap flexibility rather than star power, betting that health and a tighter rotation get them back into the postseason picture in 2026-27.
