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Marc Stein: Reported July 23 below that New Orleans was working to trade Jordan Hawkins to Memphis. Now that AJ Johnson’s contract can be aggregated that trade finally happens today and will provide the Pels nearly $6 million in savings to proceed with the addition of Bennedict Mathurin.
Jake Fischer: But, yeah, NOLA has been the Bennedict Mathurin team since before February’s trade deadline. Said yesterday on @BleacherReport Chicago wasn’t factoring into his free agency. But I believe the Bulls are involved in Jonathan Kuminga’s process to a real degree, in addition to Lakers, Wolves.
Shams Charania: Free agent F Trendon Watford has agreed to a one-year, $2.9 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN. Watford considered multiple options but for New Orleans serves as a productive two-way get late into the offseason after a year in Philadelphia where he notched a 20-point, 17-rebound, 10-assist triple double in November.
“Do you think that game would be at home, if not on national television?” Tyrese Haliburton followed up, as the hosts again agreed. “Do you think that that game would be at New Orleans?” Haliburton added, with a smirk on his face. Haliburton continued after the panel reacted to his questioning. “When I saw the schedule, I was like, ‘Oh wow!” he said. “Shoutout [Pelicans star] Trey Murphy [III], love my boy, Trey. Love New Orleans. But I was shocked to see that.”
To that end, the Knicks spoke to multiple teams about trades for big men under contract earlier in the offseason. One of those big men was New Orleans’ Karlo Matkovic, per league sources; nothing came to fruition. New York targeted Moussa Cisse as a restricted free agent, but Dallas matched the offer.
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Thus, New Orleans has explored the trade market on Jordan Hawkins, including discussions with the Memphis Grizzlies involving AJ Johnson, league sources told HoopsHype. Shedding Hawkins’ $7.02 million salary from their books would keep New Orleans below the luxury tax while using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to make a run at Mathurin.
The Stein Line on Tuesday learned that Chicago is Mathurin's other current suitor. You'll recall that The Stein Line also revealed recently (July 23 to be exact) that New Orleans has been trying to shed Jordan Hawkins' contract via trade to move further away from the first apron. Among the options available to the Pelicans, if they succeed in those efforts, would be opening up the use of a healthy portion of its midlevel exception to assemble an offer sheet to Mathurin.
Michael Scotto: The New Orleans Pelicans and Christian Koloko have agreed to a one-year deal, league sources told @hoopshype. He’ll compete for the final Pelicans roster spot after stints with the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks in the last four seasons.
Michael Scotto: The New Orleans Pelicans and Kobe Bufkin have agreed to a one-year deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Bufkin was the 15th pick of the 2023 NBA Draft. He’s spent the past three seasons with the Hawks and Lakers. He averaged 21.3 points in Summer League with the Pelicans.
League sources say that New Orleans has been exploring various trade frameworks to send out former lottery pick Jordan Hawkins for some potential roster and financial flexibility. Those discussions, sources say, include conversations with Memphis. There was no trade agreement as of Wednesday night, but we're told that the Grizzlies have registered some interest in taking on Hawkins.
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Marc Stein: Jaron Pierre Jr. and the Pelicans have agreed to a two-way contract, his Skyward Sports representatives Derek Lafayette and Curtis Lawrence tell @TheSteinLine. The New Orleans native and former @SMUBasketball star was drafted No. 58 overall in June.
Dan Woike: The Lakers have agreed to a deal with Ziaire Williams, team and league sources say. New Orleans had made a push in recent days to sign the 25-year-old, but the chance to play for his hometown Lakers in a winning situation has him headed to LA.
Jake Fischer: DeAndre Jordan’s agreement to return to New Orleans is for two years, $7.9 million, sources say, with both seasons fully guaranteed.
Pelicans Film Room: "It's surreal. Growing up in New Orleans Lousiana, you want to play for LSU, the Pelicans, the Saints. For them to give me that call, it was emotional. Me and my mom shed a tear. It's an opportunity to get better" -- Solomon Washington on getting the call from the Pelicans