TITLE: Pelicans Pick Up Options on Hawkins and Missi; Raptors Re-Sign Lawson; Mavericks Add Cross, Sharp and Smith
SLUG: pelicans-hawkins-missi-raptors-lawson-mavericks-cross-sharp-smith
CONTENT:
New Orleans, Toronto and Dallas completed a series of roster moves that affect seven players ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.
Pelicans secure Hawkins and Missi through 2026-27
The New Orleans Pelicans exercised the fourth-year team option on guard Jordan Hawkins and the third-year option on center Yves Missi, guaranteeing both rookie-scale contracts through the 2026-27 campaign, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
Hawkins, selected No. 14 overall out of UConn in the 2023 draft, is set to earn a little more than $7 million in the final season of his deal. As a rookie he appeared in 56 games, averaging 10.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 23.6 minutes while hitting 33.1 percent from three-point range. He is expected to back up Trey Murphy III this year.
Missi, a Baylor product, drew 67 starts in 73 appearances last season and posted 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. With Kevon Looney sidelined to open the schedule, Missi is projected to remain in the starting lineup.
Raptors bring back Lawson on two-way deal
The Toronto Raptors are re-signing guard A.J. Lawson to a two-way contract, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Toronto native Lawson, 25, was waived Thursday and will rejoin the club after clearing waivers. Because he was not on an Exhibit 10 deal, the Raptors had to wait before converting his new agreement.
Lawson averaged 9.1 points and 3.3 rebounds across 26 games for Toronto last year while shooting 42 percent from the floor. The Raptors had an open two-way slot, so no additional move was necessary.
Mavericks sign Cross, Sharp and Smith
The Dallas Mavericks have inked forward Matt Cross, center Jamarion Sharp and guard Zhaire Smith. All three players are expected to be waived shortly and report to the Texas Legends, the club’s G League affiliate, where they will be eligible for Exhibit 10 bonuses of up to $85,300 if they remain with the Legends for at least 60 days.
Cross, a 6-foot-7 wing who finished his collegiate career at SMU, averaged 11.8 points and 7.6 rebounds last season. Sharp, a 7-foot-5 rim protector, recorded 3.2 blocks per game with the Legends in 2023-24. Smith, drafted in the first round by Philadelphia in 2018, averaged 20.9 points in the G League last year after overcoming early-career injuries and a serious allergic reaction.
The transactions leave all three franchises with flexibility as training camps continue and final roster decisions approach.
Source: Hoops Wire
