The Memphis Grizzlies just pulled a head-scratcher, agreeing to part ways with former lottery pick Jordan Hawkins via the waiver wire. This move comes less than a month after they traded for him, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the split was mutual. Once Hawkins clears waivers, he’ll be a free agent, ready to search for a new squad.
Three Weeks, Then Gone: The Roster Crunch in Memphis
Seriously, it was only three weeks ago that Memphis snagged Hawkins from the New Orleans Pelicans. That deal saw the Grizzlies land Hawkins, Micah Peavy, and two second-round assets, sending AJ Johnson and veteran Taj Gibson to New Orleans. You gotta wonder what changed so fast. Turns out, Memphis rolled into training camp with 18 standard contracts, and the front office needed to trim that roster down to 15. With no guaranteed regular role, Hawkins became a logical candidate in that roster crunch. The financial side of this is wild too: Memphis will still owe Hawkins his $7.02 million salary for the season if he clears waivers. That’s a big chunk of change for a player not even on the team!
Hawkins’ Next Shot: A Shooter Looking For a Home
Hawkins, who is 24, was the No. 14 pick in the 2023 draft, and he even helped UConn snag a national championship before hitting the pros. He’s always shown flashes as a perimeter shooter, which is a massive asset in today’s NBA. But man, he just struggled to lock down consistent minutes, averaging only 13.6 minutes and 5.1 points per game last season. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are clearly all-in on a youth movement, with Cameron Boozer, Zach Edey, and Cedric Coward leading their new crew. That direction definitely made Hawkins’ future uncertain, even as a fresh arrival. This waiver agreement now gives him a golden opportunity to find a better fit before the regular season even kicks off. For Hawkins, clearing waivers means turning an unexpected exit into another chance to prove he belongs in the league. Teams hunting for some extra spacing on the perimeter should absolutely be calling his agent.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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