Chicago Bulls Sign Jordan Hawkins to Two-Way Contract, Waive Isaiah Stevens

Chicago Bulls Sign Jordan Hawkins to Two-Way Contract, Waive Isaiah Stevens

1. The Official Announcement from the Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have officially announced that the team has signed guard Jordan Hawkins to a two-way contract. In a related move, the organization also waived guard Isaiah Stevens. The announcement was made at club level and takes effect under the NBA rules governing two-way contracts, a mechanism that allows a player to move between the main roster and the team's NBA G League affiliate throughout the season. With this change, the Chicago Bulls now have exactly three players on two-way contracts: Tobe Awaka, Jordan Hawkins and Jaylin Sellers. It is a strategic step that reflects how the front office manages roster slots and prioritizes the development of young talent in an increasingly competitive NBA landscape.

2. Who Is Jordan Hawkins?

Jordan Hawkins is a 6-foot-5, 190-pound scoring guard. He is a native of Gaithersburg, Maryland, in the United States. Hawkins is regarded as one of the most highly rated shooters of the 2026 draft class, known for his intelligent off-ball movement, quick release and technically sound shooting foundation. Before turning professional, he spent two collegiate seasons at the University of Connecticut from 2026 to 2026, winning a national championship with the Huskies in 2026. In terms of physical profile, Hawkins does not belong to the group of oversized guards, but his wingspan and lateral mobility are enough to keep up with several types of scoring guards in a modern defensive system.

3. College Career at UConn and the 2026 National Title

Across two seasons with the UConn Huskies, Hawkins averaged 11.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 23.2 minutes per game. He was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team in the 2026-22 season, marking an impressive start to his college career. In the 2026-23 season, Hawkins broke out and became a key factor in UConn's run to the national championship. That performance earned him All-Big East First Team honors, as well as selection to the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the NCAA Tournament All-Region Team. These honors show that Hawkins is not merely a spot-up shooter but a player capable of influencing elimination games, where pressure and defensive intensity reach their peak.

4. The Turning Point at the 2026 NBA Draft

Thanks to his performances at UConn, Jordan Hawkins was selected 14th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 14th pick falls within the lottery range, meaning Hawkins was evaluated as one of the most promising young talents of that draft class. The fact that a team building its roster like the New Orleans Pelicans decided to invest in Hawkins indicated they saw a scoring guard with long-term development potential. Like many rookies, however, Hawkins had to face a challenging adjustment process upon entering the NBA, where pace, size and the physicality of opponents are on a completely different level from college basketball.

5. Three Seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans

Jordan Hawkins spent the first three seasons of his professional career with the New Orleans Pelicans. During that period he appeared in 174 games, 20 of them as a starter. His average playing time was 18.2 minutes per game, indicating he was used primarily as a rotation player coming off the bench, though he also had stretches when he was trusted with a larger role. Across those 174 games, Hawkins averaged 8.0 points on 37.4 percent shooting from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range, along with 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. These numbers reflect a player with stable scoring ability who still needs to improve his overall efficiency.

6. The 2026-25 Season: A Leap in Production

The 2026-25 season marked clear progress for Jordan Hawkins with the New Orleans Pelicans. He set single-season career highs in three key categories: 10.8 points per game, 604 total points and 110 three-pointers made. He also matched a single-season career high with 2.8 rebounds per game. Raising his scoring average from 8.0 to 10.8 points in a single season shows Hawkins significantly improved his shot selection and confidence when releasing the ball. The 110 made three-pointers also confirms he maintains his role as an outside threat, a key element in modern NBA offensive systems.

7. Explosive Nights and the 34-Point Milestone

Over his NBA career, Jordan Hawkins has produced 15 games with 20 or more points and two games with at least 30 points. His personal best was a 34-point performance against the Dallas Mavericks on January 13, 2026. That milestone matters not only numerically but also psychologically, because it proves Hawkins can step into a primary scoring role on nights when his team needs him most. Games of that kind are often the basis on which a coaching staff evaluates a young player's long-term potential, especially when weighing whether to invest development minutes or look for a better fit within the system.

8. Technical Profile: Strengths and Areas to Improve

On the strengths side, Jordan Hawkins possesses solid three-point shooting technique, intelligent off-ball movement and a quick release that lets him create space with a single step. He also has a good physical foundation and a resilient competitive mindset, forged over two seasons in one of the most demanding college basketball programs in the United States. On the improvement side, a career field goal percentage of 37.4 percent and a three-point percentage of 34.8 percent suggest Hawkins still relies heavily on difficult shots. His playmaking remains limited at 1.0 assist per game, and his rebounding is modest at 2.3 per game. Improving his finishing near the rim and his decision-making in pick-and-roll situations will be the key to taking the next step.

9. What Is a Two-Way Contract and Why Does It Matter?

A two-way contract is a special type of contract within the NBA system that allows a player to play for both an NBA team and that team's affiliate in the NBA G League. Players on two-way contracts typically earn significantly less than those on standard contracts, but in return they get a chance to prove themselves at the highest level and can be converted to a standard deal if they impress. Each NBA team is allowed a set number of two-way slots, and managing those slots is an important part of roster building. For the Chicago Bulls, signing Hawkins to a two-way deal provides salary flexibility while retaining control over and developing a player who was once a lottery pick.

10. Why Did the Chicago Bulls Choose Jordan Hawkins?

The Chicago Bulls' decision to sign Jordan Hawkins to a two-way contract shows the team values his three-point scoring potential, a skill that always carries value in modern basketball. Hawkins already has three seasons of NBA experience, something many other two-way players do not have. He has appeared in 174 games with 20 starts, meaning he has been through enough real game situations to no longer be overwhelmed by the intensity of the league. In addition, winning a national championship with UConn shows he has experience performing in high-pressure environments. For a team in the middle of restructuring its roster, adding a young player with NBA experience at low cost makes sense both competitively and financially.

11. Isaiah Stevens Waived: The Inevitable Consequence of Slot Limits

Alongside signing Jordan Hawkins, the Chicago Bulls decided to waive guard Isaiah Stevens. This is a technical move, because the number of two-way contract slots per NBA team is limited. When a team wants to add a new player to its two-way group, it must free up a corresponding slot. Waiving a player does not necessarily reflect a negative assessment of that player's ability; it is usually the result of balancing roster needs, positional requirements and development direction. For Isaiah Stevens, this decision opens the door to finding another team that better fits his role and playing style.

12. The Chicago Bulls' Three Two-Way Slots

According to the official announcement, the Chicago Bulls now have three players on two-way contracts: Tobe Awaka, Jordan Hawkins and Jaylin Sellers. Distributing these three slots shows the front office is trying to balance positions on the floor rather than concentrating all resources in one area. Hawkins fills the scoring guard role, while Awaka and Sellers bring different physical and skill characteristics. This diversity gives the head coach additional options when the main rotation deals with injuries or when tactical adjustments are needed at different stages of the season. It is an approach common among NBA teams given the dense schedule and the growing need to rotate players.

13. Tobe Awaka: A Physical Presence in the Two-Way Group

Tobe Awaka is one of the two remaining two-way players for the Chicago Bulls. He is known for a strong physical foundation and rebounding ability, qualities NBA teams often look for in players who still need to develop their offensive skills. For a team with several scoring guards, having a player oriented toward physicality and rebounding in the two-way group helps balance the roster and creates different options in specific situations. The presence of both Awaka and Hawkins in this group also shows the Chicago Bulls are building a bench group with diverse skills, ready to meet a range of tactical demands throughout the season.

14. Jaylin Sellers: The Third Piece

Jaylin Sellers completes the Chicago Bulls' two-way trio. Together with Jordan Hawkins and Tobe Awaka, Sellers forms a group of young players the team can move between the main roster and its NBA G League affiliate. Owning three quality two-way players gives the Chicago Bulls extra depth without major salary pressure. As NBA teams increasingly emphasize developing internal talent rather than relying solely on the transfer market, allocating two-way slots this way is considered an important part of a club's long-term strategy.

15. Roster Strategy and the Chicago Bulls' Development Direction

Signing Jordan Hawkins to a two-way contract shows the Chicago Bulls are pursuing a strategy that combines developing young talent with maintaining financial flexibility. Hawkins is no longer a complete newcomer to the NBA, but he is still at an age where he can keep improving if placed in the right environment. For a team rebuilding its roster, giving opportunities to players once drafted high like Hawkins is a sensible approach: low cost, high potential and no major risk to the salary structure. If Hawkins makes the most of this chance, he could convert from a two-way deal to a standard contract, benefiting both sides.

16. The Meaning of Jersey No. 15

According to the announcement, Jordan Hawkins will wear No. 15 with the Chicago Bulls. A jersey number in the NBA is not only a personal identifier but sometimes carries meaning about a player's position and role on the roster. Hawkins choosing No. 15 marks a new beginning in his career after three seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans. For fans, a new number is the first visible sign that a player officially belongs to a new team, and it is also the moment when related jersey products are introduced to the public.

17. NBA Context and the Two-Way Contract Trend

In recent years, two-way contracts have become an important tool in the roster-building strategies of nearly every NBA team. Through this mechanism, teams can develop young players at low cost while retaining control over them for a defined period. Many players who started on two-way deals have grown into important parts of a main rotation, and some have become long-term cornerstones. This trend is especially pronounced as the NBA schedule becomes denser and the need to rotate players to manage workloads grows. The Chicago Bulls using all three two-way slots shows they are following the league's broader direction.

18. Comparison with Other Notable Two-Way Contracts

What sets the Jordan Hawkins case apart from many other two-way contracts is his starting point. Hawkins was selected 14th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft and has played three NBA seasons with 174 appearances. Most two-way players are undrafted or have very little experience at the highest level. Hawkins accepting a two-way deal therefore suggests he is prioritizing playing opportunity and development over immediate earnings. If it works out, this could become one of the most notable examples of the two-way model in the coming season.

19. Expert View on Hawkins' Potential in Chicago

Technically, Jordan Hawkins fits many modern offensive systems thanks to his off-ball movement and three-point shooting. On a roster featuring players who can create space and draw defensive attention, Hawkins could capitalize on open looks. What he needs to improve is consistency in shooting efficiency and the ability to participate in more complex offensive actions, such as creating for teammates after being tightly guarded. If the Chicago Bulls coaching staff builds sets that suit Hawkins' strengths, he could contribute at a higher level than he showed in three seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans.

20. Open Questions

Several questions remain unanswered in the official announcement. First, how often will Hawkins be used on the main roster, and will he be assigned to the NBA G League affiliate? Second, does waiving Isaiah Stevens open the door for another player in the near future? Third, does the Chicago Bulls front office plan to convert Hawkins' contract to a standard deal if he performs well? These questions will only be answered by how the season unfolds and by the front office's next decisions.

21. Conclusion

The Chicago Bulls signing Jordan Hawkins to a two-way contract and waiving Isaiah Stevens is a technically driven move with clear strategic meaning. Hawkins brings three seasons of NBA experience, three-point shooting ability and a foundation built in UConn's national championship program. At low cost with significant remaining upside, he is a sensible option for a team needing more backcourt alternatives. At the same time, freeing up Isaiah Stevens' slot shows that limited resources always shape personnel decisions in the NBA. The final outcome will depend on how Hawkins seizes his new opportunity with the Chicago Bulls.