×

Pelicans acquire AJ Johnson, Taj Gibson from Grizzlies

By Thomson Reuters Sep 8, 2026 | 10:15 AM

By Field Level Media

Sep 08 (Field Level Media) – The New Orleans Pelicans acquired AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson ​from the Memphis Grizzlies on ‌Tuesday in exchange for Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round draft pick and a future second-round pick swap.

Johnson, 21, averaged 3.3 ‌points ​and 1.1 rebounds in ⁠48 games off the ⁠bench last season, split between the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks.

The well-traveled guard previously was part of the Anthony ​Davis blockbuster deal between Washington and Dallas last February before the ⁠Mavericks traded him to ⁠the Grizzlies in July. Johnson ​initially was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks ​with the 23rd overall pick in the ‌2024 NBA Draft.

Gibson, 41, averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10 games (one start) with Memphis last season. He ⁠has played in 1,012 games across 17 NBA seasons with eight teams.

Hawkins, 24, contributed 5.1 ⁠points and ‌1.7 boards in 51 ⁠games (one start) with New Orleans ​last ‌season. The UConn product was the ​14th ⁠overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Peavy, 25, averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 61 games (four starts) during his rookie season with the Pelicans in 2025-26.

(–Field ​Level Media)