Pelicans' Jordan Hawkins Fights to Keep NBA Roster Spot

The young shooting guard is making a late-season push to prove he deserves another year in New Orleans.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:49pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the shooting motion of a basketball player, with sharp planes of color and form conveying the intensity and uncertainty of a player fighting for their NBA future.A cubist interpretation of a young NBA player's desperate attempt to prove his worth and secure a roster spot.New Orleans Today

Jordan Hawkins, a 23-year-old shooting guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, has struggled to find consistent playing time and production throughout the 2025-26 NBA season. However, with the Pelicans' playoff hopes fading, interim head coach James Borrego has given Hawkins more minutes over the last four games. Hawkins has responded by averaging 16.5 points per game on 57.8% shooting, including 55% from three-point range, showcasing the sharpshooting ability that made him a first-round draft pick in 2023. Despite the recent uptick in performance, Hawkins' future with the Pelicans remains uncertain, as his career shooting percentages have been underwhelming, and the team has already exercised his fourth-year option, meaning he is set to make $7 million next season.

Why it matters

Hawkins' ability to earn a long-term role with the Pelicans could determine the trajectory of his NBA career. As a former first-round pick, the team has invested significant resources in his development, and his recent strong play could convince the organization to give him another chance next season. However, if Hawkins is unable to sustain this level of production, the Pelicans may look to move on, either by trading him or declining to keep him on the roster.

The details

Over the last four games, Hawkins has seen his minutes increase to 23.3 per game, and he has taken full advantage of the opportunity. During this stretch, he is averaging 16.5 points per game while shooting 57.8% from the field and 55% from three-point range. This is a significant improvement from his career shooting percentages of 37.6% from the field and 34.8% from three. Hawkins was drafted 14th overall in 2023 out of UConn, where he was known as an elite shooter, but he has struggled to find that same consistency at the NBA level.

  • Hawkins' recent strong play has come over the last four games of the 2025-26 NBA season.
  • The Pelicans have already exercised Hawkins' fourth-year option, meaning he is set to make $7 million next season.

The players

Jordan Hawkins

A 23-year-old shooting guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, who was drafted 14th overall in 2023 out of the University of Connecticut.

James Borrego

The interim head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, who has been giving more playing time to younger players like Hawkins as the team's playoff hopes have faded.

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What’s next

The Pelicans will have to decide whether to keep Hawkins on the roster next season or potentially look to trade him, based on his performance over the final games of the 2025-26 campaign.

The takeaway

Hawkins' recent strong play has given him a chance to prove he deserves another opportunity with the Pelicans, but his long-term future with the team remains uncertain due to his inconsistent shooting performance throughout his NBA career so far.