Trade rumor · NOP / MEM
Done deal
Pelicans send Hawkins, Peavy to Memphis for Johnson and Gibson
New Orleans is sending Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy to the Grizzlies for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson, ESPN's Shams Charania reports, with New Orleans also attaching a future second-round pick and a second-round pick swap. Hawkins, the 14th pick in 2023, never established himself with the Pelicans.
The deal clears enough room under the first-apron hard cap for New Orleans to complete Bennedict Mathurin's signing. Gibson's contract guarantee was raised from $0 to $200,000 to make the trade work, and he is expected to be waived.
Johnson has two years left on his rookie deal, and the Pelicans face an October 31 deadline on his fourth-year option.
Hawkins NOP → MEM | Gibson MEM → NOP | Johnson MEM → NOP
+ 12 reports from 8 outlets
Heavy · 9 Sept 2026Taj Gibson dealt to New Orleans, expected to be waived
Heavy · 8 Sept 2026Pelicans send Hawkins, Peavy to Memphis for Johnson, Gibson
Yahoo Sports · 8 Sept 2026Pelicans deal frees cap room to lock in Mathurin's $16M deal
The Athletic · 8 Sept 2026Pelicans clear cap room for Mathurin by sending Hawkins to Memphis
Fadeaway World · 8 Sept 2026Pelicans clear cap room, ship Hawkins and Peavy to Memphis
Fadeaway World · 8 Sept 2026Grizzlies land Hawkins and Peavy, Pelicans get Johnson and Gibson back
Heavy · 8 Sept 2026Pelicans clear cap room for Mathurin in four-player deal with Memphis
RealGM · 8 Sept 2026Pelicans clear cap room for Mathurin by dealing Hawkins to Memphis
Sportando · 8 Sept 2026Grizzlies land Hawkins, Pelicans get Johnson and Gibson back
Yahoo Sports · 8 Sept 2026Pelicans send Hawkins, Peavy to Memphis for Johnson and Gibson
Hoops Rumors · 8 Sept 2026Pelicans clear cap room, send Hawkins and Peavy to Memphis
ESPN · 8 Sept 2026Grizzlies land Hawkins in four-player swap with New Orleans