Pelicans exercise 2025-26 option on former first-round pick

The Pelicans have picked up their third-year team option on Jordan Hawkins, they announced in a press release (Twitter link).

Hawkins, who was selected 14th overall in last year’s draft, was already under contract for $4,525,680 in 2024-25. He will now earn a guaranteed $4,741,320 during the 2025-26 season as well.

The Pelicans will have until next October to determine whether they want to exercise their fourth-year option on Hawkins. That option for the 2026-27 season is worth $7,021,895.

As a rookie last season, the former UConn guard appeared in 67 regular season games (17.3 minutes per contest), averaging 7.8 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 36.6% from three-point range. He had a handful of big scoring games, including a career-high 34 points in a January 13 victory over Dallas, but his minutes were sporadic when the Pelicans were at full strength.

Hawkins, 22, said in July that he was focused on improving defensively as he enters his second season.

The deadline for teams to decide on 2025-26 rookie scale team options is Oct. 31. We’re tracking all of those decisions right here.