The Grizzlies and Pelicans completed a four-player deal on Tuesday, sending Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy to Memphis and AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson to New Orleans. The move pushes the Pelicans over the tax line at $202.2 million, while Memphis adds two rotation pieces on cheap money at $167.6 million across 22 contracts.
The deal
Official rosters logged the moves Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 1:33 p.m. ET, in a four-player swap between the Pelicans and the Grizzlies. Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy left New Orleans for Memphis, while AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson left Memphis for New Orleans. Shams Charania reported the trade first, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 90 percent confidence. A hoopsrumors report the next day, Wednesday, Sept. 9, said the Pelicans waived Gibson.
What the Pelicans get
New Orleans adds AJ Johnson, a 21-year-old guard with two NBA seasons who averaged 3.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 9.4 minutes across 48 games last season, on a 2026-27 cap hit of $3.2 million. Taj Gibson, a 41-year-old forward with 17 NBA seasons, averaged 3.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 9.7 minutes across 10 games last season; his 2026-27 cap hit is not on file yet. The Pelicans now carry 20 players, including three two-way deals, on a standard 15-man limit, with a payroll of $202.2 million across 18 contracts.
What the Grizzlies get
Memphis adds Micah Peavy, a 25-year-old guard-forward with one NBA season who averaged 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 15.0 minutes across 61 games last season, on a 2026-27 cap hit of $2.2 million. Jordan Hawkins, a 24-year-old guard with three NBA seasons, averaged 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 13.6 minutes across 51 games last season, carrying a 2026-27 cap hit of $7.0 million. The Grizzlies now carry 22 players, including three two-way deals, on a standard 15-man limit, with a payroll of $167.6 million across 22 contracts.
The money
New Orleans' payroll stands at $202.2 million across 18 contracts, above the $200.4 million tax line and below the $209.0 million first apron. Memphis sits at $167.6 million across 22 contracts, above the $165.0 million salary cap but below the tax line. Neither team is above the $221.7 million second apron.
Who did the Pelicans get in the trade?
The Pelicans received AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson from the Grizzlies.
Who did the Grizzlies get?
The Grizzlies received Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy from the Pelicans.
