Pelicans and Grizzlies Complete Four-Player Trade Including Future Picks and Swap
Table of Contents
You might want to know
Which players and draft assets moved in the most recent deal between the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans?
How do the players’ recent performances and draft histories contextualize the trade for both franchises?
Main Topic
The Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans finalized a multi-player exchange that sends AJ Johnson and veteran forward Taj Gibson to New Orleans, while Memphis acquires Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, and two future second-round considerations, one of which is a pick swap. The transaction was made official on a Tuesday afternoon announcement and reflects both teams’ interest in balancing roster needs and future draft flexibility.
Jordan Hawkins, who was selected 14th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft out of UConn, joins Memphis as the headline asset going the other way. Across three seasons with the Pelicans, Hawkins averaged 8.0 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 34.8% from three on roughly 18 minutes per game. His profile is that of a wing scorer with outside shooting as a key component of his offensive game. In the 2025-26 season specifically, Hawkins posted 5.1 points across 51 games, reflecting a reduced role compared to earlier seasons.
Micah Peavy, a second-round selection (No. 40 overall) by the Pelicans in the 2025 draft, contributed as a rookie, averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. As a younger player with limited NBA experience, Peavy represents a developmental piece whose value lies in potential upside and cost-controlled roster flexibility.
On the New Orleans side, AJ Johnson arrives having been moved to Memphis earlier in the offseason as part of a separate multi-team transaction. Johnson, the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 draft, averaged 3.3 points across 48 games last season while splitting time between the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Wizards. Although he did not appear in a regular-season game for Memphis before this trade, the Pelicans are acquiring a young guard with draft pedigree who could fit into their backcourt rotation.
Taj Gibson, a 41-year-old veteran forward, also joins the Pelicans after a short stint with the Grizzlies where he signed in February. Gibson averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10 appearances for Memphis during the 2025-26 campaign and will bring veteran leadership and interior depth to New Orleans. Gibson’s long career and experience across multiple franchises make him a stabilizing presence on and off the court.
This deal also includes future draft considerations sent to Memphis: two second-round picks, one of which involves a pick swap. Such assets are commonly used to create long-term flexibility and to balance perceived differences in immediate talent exchange. For Memphis, the incoming picks and swap option provide extra opportunities to add young talent, draft-and-stash players, or trade assets in future deals.
This key insight significantly impacts the understanding of the trade: the exchange pairs experienced veteran depth and a young guard in New Orleans with shooting and draft flexibility for Memphis—indicating each team’s differing short-term and developmental priorities.
From a roster-building perspective, New Orleans gains a blend of veteran presence and a young backcourt piece, potentially accelerating their competitive window or providing mentorship for younger players. Memphis, meanwhile, acquires a wing with proven scoring and outside shooting (Hawkins) and a young prospect (Peavy), while also bolstering its future draft inventory. Both clubs appear to have achieved clear objectives: New Orleans adds immediate role players and leadership, and Memphis secures talent and assets to support its medium-term plans.
Contextually, the trade follows a busy offseason in the league, including earlier multi-team moves that shuffled players like Khris Middleton and Isaiah Stewart among franchises. AJ Johnson’s previous arrival to Memphis as part of a six-team trade that included the Mavericks and Wizards is an example of how players can move multiple times in a single offseason as teams rebalance salary, roster composition, and strategic direction.
Statistically, the players involved carry modest recent numbers, but their draft pedigrees and situational fits are what drive this deal. Hawkins’ 34.8% three-point mark over three seasons suggests he can space the floor if he regains earlier efficiency. Peavy’s rookie averages point to limited immediate impact but possible growth. Johnson’s limited scoring role to date implies he remains a prospect rather than an established contributor. Gibson’s veteran minutes are primarily valued for experience and locker-room impact rather than statistical production at this stage of his career.
Key Insights Table
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Players Traded | AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson to New Orleans; Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy to Memphis. |
| Draft Assets | Memphis receives two future second-round picks, including a pick swap option. |
| Hawkins’ Profile | 2023 No. 14 pick; averaged 8.0 PPG and 34.8% 3PT over three seasons with New Orleans. |
| Peavy’s Profile | 2025 No. 40 pick; rookie season averages of 4.3 PPG and 1.9 RPG. |
| Johnson’s Situation | 2024 No. 23 pick; averaged 3.3 PPG across 48 games with Dallas and Washington last season. |
| Gibson’s Role | Veteran presence; averaged 3.4 PPG and 2.7 RPG in 10 games for Memphis in 2025-26. |
Afterwards...
Looking ahead, both franchises will evaluate the on-court fit of their new additions during training camp and preseason. Memphis will monitor Hawkins’ shooting efficiency and Peavy’s development trajectory, while New Orleans will assess how Johnson and Gibson integrate with existing rotation players and contribute to team chemistry. Front offices may also leverage the newly acquired draft assets in subsequent trades or drafts to further refine roster construction.
On a broader level, this trade underscores the continuing importance of combining short-term role players and long-term assets in modern roster management. Teams increasingly value draft flexibility and players who can fill specific system needs—particularly wings who can space the floor and veterans who provide leadership. As analytics and scouting continue to evolve, franchises will likely prioritize nuanced fits and contract flexibility when negotiating future deals.
Future areas of exploration include enhanced player-tracking analytics to predict role fit more accurately, refined valuation models for second-round and swap assets, and advanced developmental pathways for late first-round and second-round picks.