The
The move comes as a swift development following the trade that brought Hawkins to the Grizzlies. He had been acquired as part of a four-player deal involving AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson, a transaction intended to reshape the team's backcourt depth. However, the organization has now opted to move in a different direction, ending his brief tenure with the franchise before he could establish a consistent role.
A Challenging Transition for the Former Lottery Pick
Hawkins, who was selected 14th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the
The decline in his usage has been notable when compared to his earlier production. During the 2024-25 season, Hawkins saw his role diminish significantly, averaging 13.6 minutes per game. This was a sharp reduction from his previous output, where he had recorded 10.8 points per game while logging 23.6 minutes of action. As a perimeter shooter with pedigree from his collegiate days at UConn, Hawkins arrived in the NBA with high expectations, but he has yet to find the sustained rhythm required to solidify a long-term spot in a rotation.
The decision to waive the guard follows a period of transition within the Pelicans' front office, which saw Joe Dumars take over as the chief of basketball operations, succeeding David Griffin. With his release from the Grizzlies, Hawkins now enters the open market as a free agent, looking to leverage his experience as a former first-round selection to find a team that can better utilize his perimeter shooting skills.
