Jordan Hawkins is suddenly available again. The Grizzlies moved on less than a month after the trade. That speed raised questions. Can he sign immediately? What does his contract mean now? The answers matter for a 22-year-old lottery pick who still sells elite shooting.
What happened: Grizzlies waive Jordan Hawkins weeks after Pelicans trade
Memphis acquired Hawkins from New Orleans on September 8 in a salary move tied to the Brandon Ingram deal. The plan looked like a low-cost flier on a young wing. It collapsed fast.
On October 3, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the Grizzlies and Hawkins mutually agreed to part ways via waivers. The tenure lasted 25 days.
Why so fast? Roster math. Memphis needed flexibility and a guaranteed spot for a veteran. Hawkins was on a rookie-scale deal with no Bird rights leverage for Memphis. A mutual waiver saved friction and let both sides reset.
Jordan Hawkins Contract Status Explained
He is not locked to Memphis anymore. After a waiver, a player becomes an unrestricted free agent once he clears waivers.
The waiver wire for a recently traded player still runs 48 hours. Teams can claim his remaining salary. In practice, no team will claim a rookie-scale contract for a fringe rotation wing in October.
That means clearance is a formality. He can sign with any team after that window.
| Item | Status for Jordan Hawkins |
|---|---|
| Current Contract | Rookie scale, 4th year of 2023 No.14 pick deal |
| Waiver Clearance | 48 hour window, expected Oct 5-6 |
| Free Agency Type | Unrestricted after clearance |
| Cap Hit for Next Team | Minimum or two-way, Grizzlies absorb remainder |
He is an unrestricted free agent the moment waivers clear. Next team signs him at minimum salary or two-way. No poison pill.
Player Profile and NBA Value
2023 No.14 pick out of UConn. National champion. Elite catch-and-shoot profile.
Age matters. He is still early in his development curve. That is why teams kept an eye on him after New Orleans.
| Attribute | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Strengths | Elite off-ball movement, 38%+ career 3P on high volume, quick release, spacing gravity |
| Weaknesses | Inconsistent defensive positioning, limited shot creation, needs reps to read closeouts |
| NBA Role | Two-way shooter, 8-12 minute wing off bench |
| Ceiling Comp | Low-usage 3-and-D specialist |
Can He Still Reach His Ceiling? Scouting Recap
Golden State scouts liked Hawkins before the 2023 Draft. The Warriors took Brandin Podziemski at 19, five picks later. The fit with Hawkins was obvious on paper: motion offense, spacing, quick trigger.
Now the roster is crowded. But the interest never fully disappeared. LetsGoWarriors noted the roster is not locked if Hawkins can still reach his ceiling.
His ceiling is not star level. It is reliable shooter who can survive defensively in short bursts. That is a real NBA job.
3 Best Destinations For Jordan Hawkins As Two-Way Shooter Becomes Available
Team 1: Golden State Warriors. Shooting need is chronic. Depth behind Curry and Kuminga is thin. A minimum deal for Hawkins gives them a practice shooter and insurance. The front office already did homework in 2023.
Team 2: Brooklyn Nets. Rebuilding team with minutes to give young wings. They want cheap shooting on flexible contracts. Hawkins fits a two-way or minimum role while they evaluate their core.
Team 3: Utah Jazz. Developmental minutes and pace. Utah has roster spots for young shooters and a staff that values off-ball skill. He can compete for a standard deal or two-way and get real G League reps.
Signing Pathways: Standard contract vs two-way deal
Standard minimum is the most likely path. He is not a first two-way candidate after two NBA seasons.
Two-way remains viable if a contender wants to stash him. It limits salary cap impact and keeps him in the ecosystem.
When can he sign and play? After waiver clearance, he can join training camp immediately. NBA 2025-26 season opens late October. The window is tight but workable.
Back to cost problem. A minimum deal costs the team ~$2.2M. No long-term commitment. That is the appeal.
Final Verdict: Outlook for Jordan Hawkins after Grizzlies cut
The cut is not a death sentence. It is a reset.
Hawkins still has NBA value. Elite shooting travels. He needs a system that values spacing over creation.
Best case: sign a minimum with a contender, earn 10 minutes a night by January. Worst case: two-way, dominate G League, force a call-up.
Actionable take: watch waiver clearance first 48 hours. If no claim, expect Warriors, Nets or Jazz to make first contact within a week.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Can Jordan Hawkins sign with another NBA team immediately after being waived?
- A: No. He must first clear the 48-hour waiver wire. Once cleared, he becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team.
- Q: What is Jordan Hawkins contract status now?
- A: He is still on his rookie-scale contract, the fourth year of his 2023 No.14 pick deal with New Orleans, but is no longer under contract to Memphis after the mutual waiver.
- Q: Will any team claim Jordan Hawkins off waivers?
- A: It is unlikely. Teams rarely claim a rookie-scale fringe rotation wing in October, so he is expected to clear waivers unclaimed.
- Q: Why did the Grizzlies waive him so quickly?
- A: Roster math and flexibility. Memphis needed a guaranteed spot for a veteran and had no Bird rights leverage on Hawkins, making a mutual waiver efficient for both sides.
Extended Reading
This analysis builds on reporting from ESPN on the Grizzlies waiver, LetsGoWarriors coverage of Warriors draft interest and roster fit, and Fadeaway World’s destination breakdown for two-way shooters. For broader context on league moves and contract mechanics, see Hots Insight. Hots Insight delivers in-depth news analysis, expert commentary, and global perspectives. We go beyond the headlines to explore the forces shaping politics, economics, technology, and culture.