New Orleans Pelicans Complete Trade with Memphis to Clear Cap Space for Mathurin
The New Orleans Pelicans traded Jordan Hawkins and Miquea Peavy to Memphis for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson to clear $5.7 million in salary space and finalize the signing of Bennedict Mathurin.
The New Orleans Pelicans completed a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, sending Jordan Hawkins and Miquea Peavy to Memphis, while AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson moved in the opposite direction. The teams also exchanged future second-round draft picks, but the primary motivation behind the deal for the Pelicans was clearing financial space to finalize the signing of Bennedict Mathurin.
Clearing Cap Space for Mathurin
The Pelicans reached an agreement with Mathurin on August 26 for a two-year contract worth $16 million, which includes a player option for the second season, though the deal has not yet been officially finalized. Signing the 24-year-old guard will place the Pelicans under the hard cap restriction, requiring the franchise to shed salary before completing the transaction.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the trade with Memphis saves New Orleans approximately $5.7 million, which is enough to officially register Mathurin. Observers in the United States noted that the move was orchestrated primarily to facilitate the addition of the former Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers player.
«The trade with Memphis saves New Orleans approximately $5.7 million, enough to complete the signing of Mathurin.»
Roster Moves and Player Outlook
Gibson, 41, with 17 seasons of NBA experience, is expected to be waived by the Pelicans following the trade. His latest contract is not fully guaranteed, and his release will provide New Orleans with additional financial flexibility. Johnson, selected 23rd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, is expected to attend training camp and battle for a roster spot.
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Jordan Hawkins: Drafted 14th overall in 2023, averaged 8 points in 18.2 minutes over three seasons, dropping to 5.1 points last season.
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Miquea Peavy: A second-round pick who averaged 4.3 points in 15 minutes per game as a rookie.
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Bennedict Mathurin: The sixth pick of the 2022 draft averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 54 games last season.
