Pelicans and Grizzlies swap Jordan Hawkins and AJ Johnson in multiplayer trade, AP source says

The New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies agreed to a multiplayer swap involving Jordan Hawkins and AJ Johnson, according to an AP source. The Pelicans traded former first-round pick Hawkins and Micah Peavy to Memphis for Johnson and veteran Taj Gibson, with both teams also exchanging future second-round selections. Hawkins, a UConn product taken 14th in 2023, averaged 8 points in 18.2 minutes across his first three seasons in New Orleans. AJ Johnson, selected 23rd by Milwaukee in 2024, has averaged 4.9 points in 14.2 minutes, with stops that also included Washington and Dallas. Gibson, a 17-year veteran, has career averages of 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds; because his last deal was not fully guaranteed, New Orleans could potentially cut him to free about $3.8 million under the NBA salary cap.