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The New Orleans Pelicans have been working the trade market on Jordan Hawkins, and Memphis is among the teams they have talked to, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported Wednesday. The Memphis Grizzlies have registered interest in taking on Hawkins, Stein and Fischer reported.
Hawkins is entering the final guaranteed season of his rookie contract. He will earn a little more than $7 million in 2026-27 and reaches restricted free agency in the summer of 2027.
Taken with the No. 14 pick in the 2023 draft out of UConn, weeks after winning a national title there, Hawkins averaged 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists as a rookie while shooting 38.2% from the field and 36.6% from 3-point range across 67 games. In January of that season, he scored 34 against Dallas, a career high.
His 3-point percentage fell to 33.1% the following season.
Last season Hawkins played 13.6 minutes a night across 51 appearances, career lows in both, and averaged 5.1 points and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 36.6% from the field and 34.8% from 3-point range.
Hawkins is unlikely to carry positive value on the trade market, and New Orleans may have to attach an asset to move the contract.
The Grizzlies sit well below the luxury tax line. They also hold a $28.9 million trade exception that Hawkins' salary fits inside. However, the compensation that New Orleans would likely be willing to send may not make this the most appealing use of this flexibility compared to other options.
Memphis is carrying a full 21-man offseason squad, 19 of those on standard contracts and 17 on guaranteed salaries. First-round pick Karim López has not officially signed. The Grizzlies have to reach 15 standard contracts by opening night and can carry three two-way players on top of that.
Memphis traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic after the 2024-25 season and Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in February. On June 29, the Grizzlies sent Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Murray, the 23rd pick in 2023, is also in the final year of his rookie contract and eligible for restricted free agency in 2027.
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo returns a roster built around Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, and Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 pick in June's draft. Memphis also drafted Richie Saunders.
The 2026 restricted free agent class is still resolving. Peyton Watson has not signed. Atlanta declined Jonathan Kuminga's $24.3 million option on June 29, and he remains on the board. Denver matched Oklahoma City's two-year, $12 million offer sheet on Spencer Jones on Sunday night.
New Orleans finished 26-56 and missed the postseason for a second straight season. The Pelicans have turned away interest in Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones throughout the summer, and they carry 14 players on standard contracts. Moving Hawkins without taking back comparable salary would let New Orleans use its full $15 million mid-level exception without crossing into the tax.
New Orleans has not completed a trade this offseason.
Continue reading...
Hawkins is entering the final guaranteed season of his rookie contract. He will earn a little more than $7 million in 2026-27 and reaches restricted free agency in the summer of 2027.
Taken with the No. 14 pick in the 2023 draft out of UConn, weeks after winning a national title there, Hawkins averaged 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists as a rookie while shooting 38.2% from the field and 36.6% from 3-point range across 67 games. In January of that season, he scored 34 against Dallas, a career high.
His 3-point percentage fell to 33.1% the following season.
Last season Hawkins played 13.6 minutes a night across 51 appearances, career lows in both, and averaged 5.1 points and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 36.6% from the field and 34.8% from 3-point range.
Hawkins is unlikely to carry positive value on the trade market, and New Orleans may have to attach an asset to move the contract.
The Grizzlies sit well below the luxury tax line. They also hold a $28.9 million trade exception that Hawkins' salary fits inside. However, the compensation that New Orleans would likely be willing to send may not make this the most appealing use of this flexibility compared to other options.
Memphis is carrying a full 21-man offseason squad, 19 of those on standard contracts and 17 on guaranteed salaries. First-round pick Karim López has not officially signed. The Grizzlies have to reach 15 standard contracts by opening night and can carry three two-way players on top of that.
Memphis traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic after the 2024-25 season and Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in February. On June 29, the Grizzlies sent Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Murray, the 23rd pick in 2023, is also in the final year of his rookie contract and eligible for restricted free agency in 2027.
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo returns a roster built around Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, and Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 pick in June's draft. Memphis also drafted Richie Saunders.
The 2026 restricted free agent class is still resolving. Peyton Watson has not signed. Atlanta declined Jonathan Kuminga's $24.3 million option on June 29, and he remains on the board. Denver matched Oklahoma City's two-year, $12 million offer sheet on Spencer Jones on Sunday night.
New Orleans finished 26-56 and missed the postseason for a second straight season. The Pelicans have turned away interest in Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones throughout the summer, and they carry 14 players on standard contracts. Moving Hawkins without taking back comparable salary would let New Orleans use its full $15 million mid-level exception without crossing into the tax.
New Orleans has not completed a trade this offseason.
Continue reading...
