Jordan

Hawkins

Due to the same ailment, Swain and Hawkins sat out Wednesday’s season-opening defeat in Toronto. As a result, undrafted rookie Jaylin Sellers played 14 minutes off the bench. With Sellers and Hawkins on two-way contracts, Swain may be the player with the best chance of logging rotation minutes if he’s available on Friday.

Both Hawkins and Swain have caught a stomach bug that will sideline them for the season opener. Neither player’s availability has a meaningful impact in the realm of fantasy hoops.

Hawkins will tend to a stomachache and miss the first game of the season. The two-way guard’s next chance to make his Bulls debut will come Friday against the Bucks.

Hawkins, who was traded to Memphis in early September after three underwhelming seasons in New Orleans, didn’t have to wait long for his next opportunity after being waived on October 2. He’ll join the Bulls on a two-way contract, and while that doesn’t offer fantasy value, it gives the former lottery pick a chance to kick-start his career.

The 14th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Hawkins could not carve out a consistent role for himself in New Orleans. The Pelicans traded him and Micah Peavy to the Grizzlies in early September, but the former lottery pick went from one crowded backcourt to another. According to Charania, the Grizzlies and Hawkins mutually agreed to part ways, allowing the guard to find a new team once he clears waivers. Regardless of where he lands, Hawkins is unlikely to impact fantasy basketball.

The 14th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Hawkins couldn’t carve out a consistent role for himself over three seasons with the Pelicans. The 2024-25 campaign was his most productive, with the 6-foot-5 guard averaging 10.8 points per game. However, Hawkins couldn’t build on that output, averaging 5.1 points per game last season and falling further down the pecking order in the backcourt. A move to Memphis gives Hawkins a fresh start, but it is unlikely to do much for his short-term fantasy value.

Murphy and Murray remain sidelined for the Pelicans’ final game of the season. Jeremiah Fears has benefited most in terms of playing time and scoring opportunities, with Jordan Hawkins’ playing time also increasing off the bench.

Bey and Jones will join the rest of New Orleans’ regular starters and Karlo Matković (back) on the bench, as the Pels will have to turn to Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy to shoulder the load.

Hawkins was one of many Pelicans players who played extended minutes on Tuesday due to the team’s loaded injury report. And the third-year guard took advantage of the opportunity, recording a season-high point total and finishing a block shy of a complete stat line. With the Pelicans having two more games on their schedule, these are important opportunities for Hawkins to show he’s worth giving a chance to earn rotation minutes next season.

Initially questionable due to illness, Hawkins is available. With the Pelicans planning to hold out Herb Jones, Hawkins should play rotation minutes against the Jazz.