Former New Orleans Pelicans lottery pick Jordan Hawkins was released by the Memphis Grizzlies in a mutual decision.
The New Orleans Pelicans recently moved on from guard Jordan Hawkins, trading him, along with Micah Peavy and some draft capital, to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson.
This was a monetary move for the Pelicans, and seemingly just a move for Peavy and the picks for the Grizzlies, as they decided to release Hawkins on Friday night, per ESPN's Shams Charania. It was a mutual decision, though, and it could end up being to the benefit of Hawkins.
The former lottery pick had fallen on hard times over the past couple of seasons in New Orleans. This past season, over 51 appearances, Hawkins had posted just 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists on 36.6/34.8/85.2 shooting splits on just 13.6 minutes per night.
Hawkins had a promising rookie season, showing some of that potential to be a sniper that he did in college, but that quickly turned into a sophomore slump. Despite Joe Dumars and co. investing in him and accepting his fourth-year option, he was basically unplayable in Year 3.
There is still talent there to be untapped, but it will take a lot of work and a different coaching style than he received with the Pelicans. It's not all his fault; he's not the only player who didn't develop under the previous regime, but there is plenty he has to change as well.
New Orleans ended up needing his money to sign Bennedict Mathurin, and will now take a chance on Johnson instead, another project piece guard. Johnson is both cheaper and younger, at least.
Hopefully, Hawkins can land somewhere that knows what to do with him and get his career back on the right track.
