After being traded from New Orleans to Memphis on Tuesday, a former first-round pick Jordan Hawkins most likely, will get a “chance to stay” and fight for a place on GrizzliesThe regular season roster is 15-man, NBA insider Jake Fisher said during his latest live broadcast for Bleacher Report (video link).
According to Fisher, if the Grizzlies waive Hawkins, there will be several teams around the league interested in trying out the 24-year-old wing. It’s unclear whether those clubs would be willing to give Hawkins a standard contract and a spot in the regular season, or if he would be the target of a two-way deal.
The Grizzlies faced a roster shortage this fall, with 19 players on standard contracts for 15 roster spots. Besides Hawkins, Fisher’s views D’Angelo Russell, Chris Murray, Walter Clayton Jrand Micah Peavy as the players who are most prone to risk, noting that forward Olivier-Maxons Prosper should be safe.
Here are some more interesting items from Fisher’s Bleacher Report stream:
- The Cavaliers and a free agent guard Gabe Vincent were in contact earlier in the offseason, but he no longer plays for the Cavs now that they directly opposite their first hard cap, according to Fisher. It was said that Vincent was also on The necklacesradar before they signed Ben Simmonsthough Fisher suggests the 30-year-old guard didn’t demand to join the rebuilding club. “I was told Gabe Vincent didn’t exactly want to go to Sacramento, but there was some mutual interest.” – said Fisher.
- For what it’s worth, while we’re still waiting for the exact details on Simmons’ new annual minimum wage contract with The necklacesFisher casually called it a “non-guaranteed” deal.
- While Fisher is still considering Hornets as a potential suitor The necklaces center Damantas Sabonishe notes that it may be difficult for Sacramento to get a deal done until Sabonis is back on the court and starting to look like his old self after an injury-riddled 2025-26 season. As Fisher explains, the Kings believe they should get positive value in any deal for Sabonis, while potential trade partners are wary of the $94 million he’s owed over the next two years after he played just 19 games last season because of knee problems.
- What players could join Victor Wembanyama and Amin Thompson in signing a rookie-scale extension before the Oct. 19 deadline? Fischer defines Hornets forward Brandon Miller, Pistons security guard Ausar Thompson, Jazz security guard Keyonte Georgeand Thunder security guard Cason Wallace as players that agents and handlers consider most likely to sign long-term contracts with their respective teams.