New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- The New Orleans Pelicans have traded shooting guard Jordan Hawkins to the Memphis Grizzlies in a four-player swap that is less about star power and more about salary-cap space.

Notably, the New Orleans sent Hawkins, wing Micah Peavy, a future second-round draft pick, and a future second-round pick swap to Memphis for guard AJ Johnson and veteran forward Taj Gibson.

The trade clears a roster spot and frees up money so the New Orleans Pelicans can complete a two-year, $16 million contract with wing Bennedict Mathurin.

AJ Johnson could not be aggregated in a trade until Tuesday, two months after Memphis Grizzlies acquired him from Dallas in the Santi Aldama deal. That timing is why the Pelicans waited until now to mo...