The Chicago Bulls signed guard Jordan Hawkins to a two-way contract on October 6, 2026, according to the official team announcement. In a corresponding roster move, the team waived guard Isaiah Stevens. Hawkins enters the organization with three years of NBA experience, having spent the first three seasons of his career with the New Orleans Pelicans after being selected 14th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Roster Crunch in New Orleans Sends Former Lottery Pick to Chicago
Hawkins arrived in Chicago following a circuitous route through the league’s transaction wire. The New Orleans Pelicans traded Hawkins to the Memphis Grizzlies in September in exchange for Taj Gibson and AJ Johnson. Facing a roster crunch, the Grizzlies subsequently parted ways with the 24-year-old guard. The Bulls utilized their financial flexibility and an open two-way slot to absorb the former first-round pick without surrendering a standard 15-roster spot or adding immediate salary cap pressure.
Hawkins Brings NBA Experience and Collegiate Success
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 190 pounds, Hawkins has appeared in 174 regular-season games with 20 starts. He holds career NBA averages of 8.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 18.2 minutes per contest, shooting 37.4 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from beyond the arc. His 2024-25 campaign yielded single-season career highs of 10.8 points per game, 604 total points, and 110 made three-pointers.
Prior to his professional career, Hawkins starred at the University of Connecticut from 2021 to 2023. He helped lead the Huskies to the 2023 NCAA National Championship, averaging 11.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists across 23.2 minutes per game during his two collegiate seasons. His postseason performance earned him selections to the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the NCAA Tournament All-Region Team.
Hawkins Joins Bulls on Two-Way Contract
With the addition of Hawkins, the Chicago Bulls now carry three players on two-way contracts, joining Tobe Awaka and Jaylin Sellers. Hawkins will wear jersey No. 15 for Chicago. As training camp progresses, questions remain regarding whether the perimeter shooter can carve out a permanent rotation role alongside young wings like Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson, or if the organization will utilize him primarily as a developmental asset.
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