The Grizzlies may not be finished reshaping the roster, and the next move could come with a familiar twist: a deal with the division-rival New Orleans Pelicans.
Marc Stein reported that the Pelicans have discussed trading Jordan Hawkins, and Memphis is among the teams that has checked in. That comes on the heels of reports that the Grizzlies and D’Angelo Russell are likely headed for a split this offseason, keeping Memphis active on the trade front even as it still has roster spots to clear before the season.
A Hawkins deal would raise an obvious question about how the Grizzlies would structure it. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and D’Angelo Russell are both viewed as possible waive or trade candidates, and a Russell-for-Hawkins swap would make some sense on the numbers alone. Russell is set to make $5.9 million next season, while Hawkins is slated to make just over $7 million.
Hawkins is the kind of swing that fits the “flyer” label. He was the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and came out of UConn after playing a major role in the Huskies’ 2023 national championship run. He arrived with a reputation as a high-level shooter, but that hasn’t translated cleanly to the NBA so far.
For his career, Hawkins is shooting 37.4% from the field and 34.8% from three. Those numbers explain why he could be available, but they also help explain why a new setting might appeal to Memphis. He is still only 24, and he would be on an expiring rookie deal next season.
That gives the Grizzlies a fairly clean bet: see whether they can unlock him, and if not, they would be out of the deal by the 2027 offseason. There’s also the possibility that Memphis could get additional assets for taking on Hawkins’ contract, which would add another piece to a front office that has continued to stockpile options.
Hawkins would also join a group of recent 2023 picks already on the roster, alongside Taylor Hendricks, GG Jackson II, and Kris Murray.
If the Grizzlies can turn him around, they get a shooter with pedigree. If they can’t, they still may have added another asset. Either way, it’s the kind of low-risk move that could fit what Memphis appears to be doing this offseason.
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That uncertainty has already put a few familiar backcourt-needy teams on the radar, including the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets. If Russell does make it to the market in a more manageable contract situation, he could become one of those names that moves quickly once teams start sorting out their guard rotations and salary sheets. [Read more 🡒]