What Does Pelicans-Grizzlies Trade Mean for Both Clubs as Training Camp Nears

· Yahoo Sports

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) dribbles the ball court against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Smoothie King Center. | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Daniel Benjamin, Editor

The New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies finally completed a trade that was anticipated since the Pelicans signed Bennedict Mathurin to an offer sheet. The Pelicans sent Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick, and a future second-round swap to the Grizzlies for Taj Gibson and AJ Johnson.

What Does Pelicans-Griz Trade Mean for Both Clubs

Visit bettingx.club for more information.

While New Orleans has been looking to unload Hawkins, coming off a highly disappointing season last year and on an expiring contract, the trade was mainly done to give the Pelicans enough room under the first apron, where they are hardcapped, to officially sign Mathurin. Mathurin agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal late last month, with 2027-28 being a player option.

However, according to NBA cap expert Yozzi Gozlan, New Orleans and Memphis had to get a little creative to make the deal work. Gozlan said the Grizzlies had to guarantee $149,000 of his $3.8 million deal to satisfy league rules while using the exception they acquired from their Ja Morant trade to acquire Peavy.

What Does Pelicans-Griz Trade Mean for New Orleans

Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabaté (14) is guarded by Memphis Grizzlies forward Taj Gibson (67) during the second quarter at Spectrum Center. Photo Credit: Brian Westerholt, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

The trade gave the Pelicans 16 players on standard contracts, including Mathurin, with a salary cap hit of $207.4 million or $1.55 million below the first apron. The Pelicans waived Gibson today.

By waiving Gibson, New Orleans adds about $3.6 million to its ledger, giving it $5.1 million in flexibility. Meanwhile, it appears that Johnson will be competing for a roster spot alongside several of their training-camp invitees.

Johnson has shown some promise as a playmaker, but consistency and shooting have been an issue. The 21-year-old combo guard averaged 3.3 points and assists with shooting splits of 32.4/21.1/85.0 in 48 games with Washington and Dallas. He scored in double figures five times with one 20-point effort.

Johnson is with his fifth organization since being selected with the No. 23 pick in the first round of the 2023 draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. Johnson has an elite first step and is at his best when slashing to the hoop. However, he still needs to add strength and be more consistent on both ends of the floor. He is slated to make $3.27 million in 2026-27 and has a fourth-year option of $5.4 million (if picked up) for 2027-28.

Pelicans  Training Camp Competition

Dallas Mavericks guard AJ Johnson (8) drives to the basket as Chicago Bulls center Lachlan Olbrich (47) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center. Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Johnson is slated to compete with Kobe Bufkin, Caleb Houstan and Christian Koloko for the Pelicans’ final roster spot.  Bufkin is the only one of the trio on an Exhibit 10 deal while Houstan and Koloko are on Exhibit 9 pacts.  It is possible Trendon Watford could also be involved in the competition, as only $250,000 of his $2.45 million salary is guaranteed until opening night, with another $ 500,000 guaranteed if he remains with the club.

Watford is the most accomplished of the five players and should have the inside track. But if Watford struggles in camp, and a few others thrive, he could find himself on the unemployment line. While the 25-year-old is versatile and a connector, the Pelicans frontcourt is crowded with similar players.

Bufkin appears to be Johnson’s stiffest competition for the 15th spot as the Pelicans could use some to put pressure on the rim besides Mathurin. Bufkin, the No. 15 pick in 2023, has only appeared in 43 games over three seasons as he has struggled with injuries and with shooting. But the 22-year-old has shown two-way potential and had an excellent summer stint with the Pelicans. He is a north-south driver who can stay in front of quick point guards.

New Orleans also has two of their two-way spots filled with Malik Dia and Jaron Pierre Jr. Bufkin and Melvin Council Jr. are currently in contention for the final minor league spot.

What Does Pelicans-Griz Trade Mean for Memphis

Grizzlies 2026 NBA Draft picks Karim Lopez, Cam Boozer and Richie Saunders laugh with each other after their introductory press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., Photo Credit: USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

Memphis is rebuilding, and just like Brooklyn and Oklahoma City, the Grizzlies are making trades to acquire assets. In addition to Hawkins and Peavy, the Grizzlies also received Toronto’s 2031 second-round pick, with the second-round swap set for 2032. The Grizzlies now have as many as 22 draft picks between 2027 and 2033, including 12 first-rounders.

With the trade, Memphis has 19 players on standard contracts. Yet, the Grizzlies are still over $38 million below the luxury tax.  Jaylen Wells is the only player without a fully guaranteed deal, but he is not going anywhere.

Hawkins, known for his shooting and tough shot-making, has connected on just 37.4% of his field goals and 35% of his 3-pointers over three NBA seasons. Hawkins is also not great defensively and on a $7 million expiring deal. He enters a deep guard room with the Grizzlies and will be among the players competing for a roster spot.

Peavy, the No. 40 pick in 2025, also figures to be among the players competing for a roster spot. Peavy closed the regular season strong, though his defense is ahead of his offense. The 25-year-old is a high-effort defender who is at his best getting to the basket and can guard 2-4. He is making $2.1 million and is signed through $2028-29, though this upcoming season is fully guaranteed.

Training camp should be interesting for Memphis. Eight of the 19 players on standard contracts are newcomers. Also, the Grizzlies will have to cut/trade four players between now and opening night. Isaiah Stewart, Cam Boozer,Zach Edey,Karim Lopez, Quenten Post, Cam Spencer,Cedric Coward, and Wells figure to be part of the Griz core going forward. Jerami Grant, Olivier- Maxence Prosper, Ty Jerome, GG Jackson II, Taylor Hendricks, and Peavy also appear to be safe.

That leaves open roster spots. Scotty Pippen Jr., Walter Clayton, D’Angelo Russell,Kris Murray, and Hawkins figure to be competing for those slots.

Memphis also has all three of its two-way spots filled. Javon Small, Jahmai Mashack, and Carson Cooper are on minor league deals.

More News

UNC Tar Heels Hoops 2026-27 Preview

Hornets Make 2 Roster Moves, Nets Reunite With 7-footer, and K-Love Could Return to Team That Drafted Him

Bulls Star “Good To Go” For Training Camp Following Surgery, Praises First-Round Pick and Tiago Splitter

Photo Credit: Stephen Lew, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Read full story at source