How the New Orleans Pelicans roster will look heading into training camp after the Jordan Hawkins trade.
The New Orleans Pelicans decided to bite the bullet and trade away Jordan Hawkins to the Memphis Grizzlies in order to shed the money they needed to finish the signing of Bennedict Mathurin.
In the deal, they sent away Hawkins and Micah Peavy along with two seconds (one of them a swap) to the Grizzlies in exchange for young guard AJ Johnson and veteran Taj Gibson. Gibson will not be making it to the Pelicans' roster, but Johnson has a chance to compete for a spot in training camp.
Here is where the roster currently stands after the deal:
Guards
PG Jeremiah Fears
PG Dejounte Murray
Combo Guard Jordan Poole
SG AJ Johnson
SG Jaron Pierre Jr. - Two-Way Contract
G Kobe Bufkin - Training Camp
Losing Hawkins doesn't really change the outlook for this rotation. Even if they weren't able to move him, he wouldn't have seen the court much. The guard averaged just 13.6 points over 51 games.
That would be a career-high for Johnson, another former first-rounder, who had 22 minutes per night as a rookie, but only over 29 games. He has averaged 4.9 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per night on 35.7/24.5/85.0 shooting splits.
Wings
SF/SG Trey Murphy III
SG/SF Herbert Jones Jr.
SG Bennedict Mathurin * still not officially official
F Saddiq Bey
SG/SF Bryce McGowens
SG/SF Caleb Houstan - Training Camp
This is still certainly the best position on the roster. Murphy is going to be looking to finally make that jump to an All-Star. Bey is chasing a contract extension. Mathurin is also auditioning for this front office to commit to him long-term after this season. McGowens is going to be a great addition off the bench. And, of course, Herb is Herb. Houstan will have to really impress to make the roster, as he cannot be stashed on a two-way.
Bigs
PF Zion Williamson
C Yves Missi
C/F Derik Queen
C Karlo Matkovic
C DeAndre Jordan
F Trendon Watford
F Malik Dia - Two-Way Contract
C Christian Koloko - Training Camp
While the wings are the best position group, the bigs will probably dictate the future of this team. Missi has had a fantastic offseason, starring for Cameroon in the FIBA qualifiers. His defense could transform the starting lineup. This team obviously needs Williamson to stay healthy and continue extending his game on the court. Queen offers a potential new franchise cornerstone if things go poorly enough this season.
