The New Orleans Pelicans have traded Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round draft pick and a future second-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson. The trade, announced Tuesday, clears roster space for the Pelicans, frees up salary flexibility to sign Bennedict Mathurin to a two-year, $16 million deal, and allows New Orleans to have a look at 21-year-old Johnson, the No. 21 pick in the 2024 draft.

Hawkins, a lottery pick at No. 14 in the 2023 draft, gets dealt prior to his fourth season. The Grizzlies, who acquired draft assets, face multiple roster decisions as they are several guaranteed contracts above the 15 maximum. Hawkins, 24, averaged 5.1 points in 51 games last season, playing just 13.6 minutes per game—a decrease from 23.6 minutes and 10.8 points per game in 2024-25.

The Pelicans will be the fifth team in three seasons for the 6-foot-5 Johnson, who split last season between the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks traded Johnson to the Grizzlies for Santi Aldama in July, five months after Johnson was included in the Anthony Davis blockbuster trade. Johnson was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024 before being traded to the Wizards.

The trade saves New Orleans $5.7 million in salary, per ESPN's Bobby Marks. Gibson, 41, appeared in 10 games with Memphis last season. The 17-year veteran has played for eight teams. Peavy, 6-foot-7, appeared in 61 games as a rookie last season, averaging 4.3 points.