The New Orleans Pelicans are making another major roster move ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, New Orleans is trading Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for guard AJ Johnson and veteran forward Taj Gibson.
The Trade
New Orleans Pelicans receive:
- AJ Johnson
- Taj Gibson
Memphis Grizzlies receive:
- Jordan Hawkins
- Micah Peavy
- Future second-round pick
- Future second-round pick swap
The move gives New Orleans additional financial flexibility and helps clear the way for the reported signing of free-agent guard Bennedict Mathurin to a two-year, $16 million contract. The Pelicans are expected to save roughly $5.7 million in salary through the transaction,
Hawkins Gets a Fresh Start in Memphis
Hawkins, selected No. 14 overall by New Orleans in the 2023 NBA Draft, leaves the Pelicans after three seasons.
The former UConn standout showed flashes of the shooting ability that made him a lottery pick, but his role diminished significantly during the 2025-26 season. He averaged 5.1 points in 51 games while playing 13.6 minutes per contest, according to recent reporting.
Memphis now gets an opportunity to see whether Hawkins can regain the form that made him one of the top prospects in the 2023 draft.
Memphis Also Adds Micah Peavy
Peavy spent just one season in New Orleans after being selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-7 wing appeared in 61 games as a rookie and averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds. Memphis will now get a chance to develop the young wing alongside Hawkins.
AJ Johnson Heads to New Orleans
Johnson, 21, was originally selected No. 23 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 NBA Draft.
He has already bounced around the league, moving from Milwaukee to Washington, then Dallas, and eventually Memphis. He averaged 3.3 points in 48 games last season and will now get another opportunity to establish himself with the Pelicans.
Johnson also gives New Orleans another young guard to evaluate as the franchise reshapes its roster.
Taj Gibson Could Be a Short-Term Piece
Gibson brings 17 seasons of NBA experience to New Orleans, but his stay with the Pelicans could be brief.
His contract is reportedly non-guaranteed, and New Orleans is expected to consider waiving the veteran forward as it continues creating room under the league’s financial restrictions.
For Memphis, the deal is essentially a bet on Hawkins and Peavy while also adding future second-round draft capital.
For New Orleans, the bigger picture is financial flexibility and roster construction — particularly getting the team into position to complete its deal with Mathurin.
The Pelicans are clearly prioritizing flexibility and a reshaped roster as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.
