Pelicans-Grizzlies trade and various sports news

The New Orleans Pelicans have traded with the Memphis Grizzlies, trading first-round draft pick Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavey for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson, a source familiar with the matter said Tuesday.

The source, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was not officially announced, added that the two teams also exchanged future picks in the second round of the draft.

Hawkins, a proficient shooter from beyond the arc and penetrating, was selected 14th overall in the 2023 Draft; That is, two years before the management change that saw Joe Dumars replaced by David Griffin as president of basketball operations.

Hawkins has struggled to find a starting spot in New Orleans' lineup since joining the league, as he averaged 8 points in 2.18 minutes per game during his first three seasons.

As for Johnson, Milwaukee selected him 23rd overall in the 2024 draft, and he also played for Washington and Dallas during his first two seasons, scoring an average of 9.4 points in 2.14 minutes.

Gibson is a veteran player with 17 years of experience, averaging 3.8 points and 7.5 rebounds during his career. Since Gibson's latest contract was not fully guaranteed, the Pelicans may release him to free up approximately $8.3 million in space within the NBA's salary cap.

British driver George Russell's wish to compete with his compatriot Lando Norris by obtaining private stands at Silverstone has been fulfilled.

The Mercedes driver followed in the footsteps of McLaren driver Norris, after the Silverstone Circuit announced the opening of the George Russell Grandstand at the Farm Curve in preparation for the 2027 race.

The Norris Coliseum was launched in Landostang in 2025 when he achieved his first victory in the British Grand Prix, where he found 16,000 spectators in this year’s race.

Russell also expressed his desire to have his own grandstand for his race, and joked during this year's Silverstone round that he would like to sit in one of the Norris grandstand seats.

Russell has now earned his own place in the famous circuit, as his Mercedes team published pictures of the British driver during his career in karting and junior racing with the team leader.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Feyenoord's Dutch coach, stressed that his team has a difficult task ahead of it when it visits Barcelona on Wednesday in the Champions League.

Bronkhorst said, in a press conference, on Tuesday: “I have wonderful memories here in Barcelona. I wore the team’s shirt for 4 years next to distinguished players, such as Messi and Ronaldinho, and we won the Champions League title, so I am part of the history of this club.”

He added: “Joining this club was a dream, and returning to play against it for the first time has a strange feeling. The Camp Nou stadium has become bigger.”

The Dutch coach continued: “It will not be an easy match in light of Barcelona’s strong start this season, in addition to having distinguished players in all positions. We must possess the ball, but it will be a difficult task against a team of this level. It is a great and exciting challenge.”

He continued: “It will also be a special opportunity for the Feyenoord players to express themselves. I do not feel intimidated or afraid, but rather I consider the match a wonderful challenge.”

He explained: “The Champions League is a different competition than the Dutch League. We must modify our playing style, because we will not get many opportunities, and we will be playing outside our homeland, so it will be a good opportunity to interact at a high level, and a useful lesson for all players.”

He stressed: “We must perform with great courage, and try to reduce the large differences between the two teams.”

Van Bronckhorst concluded: “Barcelona won the league title twice, and is looking forward to winning the Champions League title. This title was the most prominent achievement in my career.”