The White House (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons

Grizzlies, facing roster crunch, waive former lottery pick Jordan Hawkins

The Memphis Grizzlies have parted ways with guard Jordan Hawkins by mutual agreement, the franchise announced. With the regular season approaching, the front office faced a roster crunch featuring too many guaranteed agreements to carry forward, leaving the former lottery selection without a spot despite the franchise covering his entire seven million dollar salary for the year.

Hawkins spent his first three campaigns with the New Orleans Pelicans before arriving in Memphis via trade less than thirty days prior. Across those three seasons, the former UConn product connected on roughly thirty five percent of his long-range attempts, hitting a peak scoring average of 10.8 points during his sophomore campaign before seeing a dip in playing time last year.

Memphis remains active in trimming its roster down to the league-mandated limit, carrying sixteen guaranteed deals alongside a partially guaranteed contract for Jaylen Wells that likely stays intact. This situation means additional roster moves via trades or releases remain necessary before opening night.

Meanwhile, observers anticipate that rival franchises will monitor Hawkins as a low-cost addition, hoping a fresh environment might help him rediscover the production that once made him a high draft choice.

Up nextNBA· 3h ago

The Lakers may have an insurance policy that they’ve lacked in the past