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

The Chicago Bulls have officially announced the signing of guard Jordan Hawkins to a two-way contract. In a related move issued at the same time, the Chicago-based franchise confirmed it has waived guard Isaiah Stevens. The announcement came directly from the club's front office and took effect immediately, marking a notable roster adjustment as the Chicago Bulls prepare for the 2026-26 season. A two-way contract is a roster-management tool that allows a player to compete for both the main NBA roster and the club's affiliate in the developmental league. The mechanism lets teams maintain depth while preserving salary-cap flexibility. For the Chicago Bulls, adding Jordan Hawkins provides an additional scoring option on the perimeter, an area where the franchise has struggled to find consistency across several seasons. In terms of physical profile, Jordan Hawkins stands 6-5 and weighs 190 pounds. The guard has appeared in 174 games during his NBA career, including 20 starts. His first three seasons were spent with the New Orleans Pelicans. Jordan Hawkins was selected 14th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2026 NBA Draft. To date, Jordan Hawkins holds career averages of 8.0 points on 37.4 percent field-goal shooting and 34.8 percent three-point shooting, along with 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 18.2 minutes per game. The 2026-25 campaign represented clear progress for Jordan Hawkins. The guard set single-season career highs in three key categories: 10.8 points per game, 604 total points and 110 three-pointers made. In addition, Jordan Hawkins matched a single-season career high with 2.8 rebounds per game. Those figures reflect growth in scoring ability and confidence within the New Orleans Pelicans offensive system. A native of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Jordan Hawkins has recorded 15 career games with 20-plus points in the NBA. He has also produced two career games with at least 30 points. His personal best to date is a 34-point performance against the Dallas Mavericks on January 13, 2026. That outing demonstrated that Jordan Hawkins can serve as a primary scoring threat when given sufficient minutes and touches. Before entering the NBA, Jordan Hawkins played two collegiate seasons with the University of Connecticut from 2026 to 2026. He won a national championship with the UConn Huskies in 2026. During his college career, Jordan Hawkins averaged 11.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 23.2 minutes per game. He earned Big East All-Freshman Team honors in the 2026-22 season, then collected a series of accolades in 2026-23, including All-Big East First Team, NCAA All-Tournament Team and NCAA Tournament All-Region Team recognition. For the Chicago Bulls, adding Jordan Hawkins directly addresses the need for a reliable perimeter shooter. In modern basketball, off-ball movement and quick release from beyond the arc carry exceptional value because they create space for primary ball handlers. Jordan Hawkins was highly regarded for this skill set during his time with the UConn Huskies, where he consistently pressured opposing defenses with relentless cuts and high-tempo three-point attempts. An important detail is that a two-way contract carries a specific limit on NBA appearances. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, a player on a two-way contract may be active for a maximum of 50 of the 82 regular-season games. That means Jordan Hawkins can still be used regularly when the Chicago Bulls need him, but the franchise must carefully manage his allotment alongside other roster options. Alongside signing Jordan Hawkins, the Chicago Bulls waived guard Isaiah Stevens. Isaiah Stevens had been viewed as a guard capable of playmaking and controlling game tempo, but the decision to free a two-way slot indicates the coaching staff prioritizes perimeter scoring over ball-handling leadership at this stage. It is a tactical decision that reflects the direction in which the franchise is building its style of play. Following the move, the Chicago Bulls now have three players on two-way contracts: Tobe Awaka, Jordan Hawkins and Jaylin Sellers. Allocating three slots with one veteran holding three NBA seasons suggests the Chicago Bulls intend to use the two-way mechanism to raise roster quality rather than treat it purely as a storage space for raw prospects. Jordan Hawkins will wear No. 15 with the Chicago Bulls. The number is tied to memorable moments for the guard in a University of Connecticut jersey, where he played a key role in the run to the 2026 national championship. Choosing that number is also a way for Jordan Hawkins to maintain continuity in his career and establish a distinct identity in a new environment. Overall, the transaction works in both directions. For the Chicago Bulls, the franchise gains a proven NBA shooter who has averaged 8.0 points across 174 games while preserving the three-slot two-way structure. For Jordan Hawkins, it is an opportunity to reassert his value after three seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he demonstrated the ability to average 10.8 points and hit 110 three-pointers in a single season. What remains uncertain is whether Jordan Hawkins can sustain his scoring production when minutes are constrained by the two-way mechanism. His past numbers suggest he needs a steady rhythm of playing time to perform at his best. If the Chicago Bulls establish a clearly defined role for Jordan Hawkins within the offensive system, the move could deliver value well beyond the modest cost of a two-way contract. The timing of the announcement shows the Chicago Bulls are proactively shaping the roster early. Waiving Isaiah Stevens and adding Jordan Hawkins in the same release reflects a decisive approach from the front office. For Chicago Bulls supporters, it is a signal that the franchise is seeking to improve perimeter scoring rather than hold its existing core in place. In summary, the Chicago Bulls have signed guard Jordan Hawkins to a two-way contract and waived guard Isaiah Stevens. Jordan Hawkins, selected 14th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2026 NBA Draft, will wear No. 15 and joins the Chicago Bulls three-player two-way group alongside Tobe Awaka and Jaylin Sellers. The move is viewed as a reasonable step for both sides during the build-up to the 2026-26 season.