Grizzlies Trade AJ Johnson, Taj Gibson to Pelicans for Hawkins, Peavy and Draft Assets

The Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans completed a multi-player trade on Tuesday, with Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy heading to Memphis in exchange for AJ Johnson and veteran Taj Gibson.

As part of the agreement, the Grizzlies will also receive a future second-round draft pick and a future second-round pick swap. The two teams officially announced the deal on Tuesday afternoon.

Hawkins is one of the main pieces moving to Memphis. The 6-foot-5 guard was selected by New Orleans with the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after playing college basketball at UConn.

Across three seasons with the Pelicans, Hawkins averaged 8.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 18 minutes per game. He also shot 34.8% from three-point range during his time in New Orleans.

Peavy, meanwhile, heads to Memphis after completing his rookie season. The Pelicans selected him with the 40th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and he averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in his first NBA campaign.

Johnson’s departure comes before he had the opportunity to make an appearance for Memphis. The former 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft only arrived at the Grizzlies earlier this offseason.

Johnson was part of the six-team trade involving several players, including Khris Middleton, who moved to the Washington Wizards, and Isaiah Stewart, who joined Memphis.

The young guard spent last season with the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards, averaging 3.3 points across 48 appearances.

Gibson brings considerably more NBA experience to New Orleans. The 41-year-old joined Memphis in February and played 10 games for the Grizzlies during the 2025-26 season, averaging 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds.

The Pelicans will become the ninth NBA franchise of Gibson’s long career.

The deal gives Memphis two younger players in Hawkins and Peavy while also adding future draft assets. New Orleans, meanwhile, receives Johnson and the experienced Gibson as both franchises reshape their rosters ahead of the new campaign.