September 8, 2026 • 9:02 AM EDT
Updated 1 hours ago
New Orleans took a gamble on Jordan Hawkins as a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, hoping he’d light it up and be a clear part of their future. That just hasn’t happened. So now, the Pelicans are making a change, sending Hawkins and Micah Peavy to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a four-player swap. AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson are heading the other way to New Orleans, giving both teams a new look heading into the next chapter of their build.
On top of the player swap, the Pelicans are tossing in a future second-round pick and a future pick swap to sweeten the deal for Memphis. Clearly, the front office in New Orleans has decided it’s time to move on from Hawkins while his value remains, and they’re more interested in the potential of Johnson and the veteran presence of Gibson. This kind of move signals a focus on immediate flexibility and a different roster balance, while Memphis takes on a former high-potential pick to see if they can unlock something new from Hawkins.
According to Yahoo Sports, the deal also hands Memphis the extra chips of a future second-rounder and the option of a pick swap. The Pelicans have made it pretty plain they don’t see Hawkins as a part of their core, and if you’re following the NBA trade market, this kind of package says they wanted to move on now before his value slid any further. For bettors, this trade might not move the needle much on championship odds right away, but it’s the kind of tweak that can pay off long term—especially if Memphis gets more out of Hawkins than the Pelicans could.
Four-player trade details
- Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy go from New Orleans to Memphis
- AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson head to the Pelicans
- Memphis receives a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap
- New Orleans appears ready to pivot away from Hawkins and his development curve
Why the Pelicans made this move
If you’re wondering why the Pelicans were willing to cut their losses on a recent first-round pick, it’s simple: Hawkins just didn’t develop into a difference-maker for them. Instead of hanging on, they’re pivoting towards AJ Johnson’s upside and relying on Taj Gibson’s experience. This gives them options, both for a youth movement and for supporting their locker room with a solid veteran. They’re also freeing up opportunities for other young players in the rotation who might offer more immediate impact.
What it means for the Grizzlies
The Grizzlies now get to take a closer look at Hawkins without having to give up premium draft assets for the privilege. It’s a gamble, but it comes with flexibility: Memphis picks up a prospect who could still find his form and the bonus of additional draft capital. For a team always looking to reload around the margins, this is a low-risk shot at upside.
Key takeaways for bettors and fans
- Hawkins never broke through in New Orleans, so a trade resets his value
- The Pelicans are clearly pushing for roster flexibility and depth
- Memphis gets a chance to reclaim Hawkins’ lost potential and extra draft assets
- This deal doesn’t shake up power rankings, but it sets the table for future moves
- Keep an eye on early rotation changes for both teams at the start of the season
- Neither Johnson nor Gibson are likely needle-movers for title odds, but could matter for game-by-game props
- The Pelicans signaled they’re not waiting on project players—immediate impact matters
- For fantasy and prop bettors: monitor Hawkins’ usage and minutes in Memphis
- In low-leverage NBA trades, the hidden value is often in the picks—watch for that pick swap down the line
More coverage: NBA news coverage, NBA analysis and odds and today’s NBA picks.
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