Much has been made of the NBA’s “positionless” revolution over the last decade. Kickstarted by the ‘We Believe Warriors’ of the 2007-8 season; the game has evolved so rapidly that we now watch the likes of Nikola Jokic and Alperen Sengun run the offense from the Center position. Those with Chet Holmgren’s physical assets used to get parked in the post, instead the 7ft Oklahoma City five-man bombs away from above the break on a night-to-night basis.

The game is unrecognizable today; so much so that I believe we have the NBA’s first Wide Receiver. You’re reading that right, gone are the days of ‘Two-Guards’ and ‘Swing-Men’. Former UConn star Jordan Hawkins is currently playing like Jerry Rice, not Jerry West for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Hopefully you’re still with me. Let’s break down exactly what I mean down below… According to Wikipedia a wide receiver’s role is such, “The wide receiver’s principal role is to catch forward passes from the quarterback. On passing plays, the receiver attempts to avoid, outmaneuver, or simply outrun the cornerbacks or safeties typically defending him. If the receiver becomes open on his pass route, the quarterback may throw a pass to him.”

Simple, add in Cambridge Dictionary’s take on things, “In American football, an attacking player who is usually on the outer edge of the line of scrimmage.” and I think we’ve got the full picture.

The more you look, the more you can see Hawkins fits the parameters. Wide Receivers are “usually on the outer edge of the scrimmage”? Jordan Hawkins is currently 2nd in corner 3’s taken this year behind OG Anunoby, attempting 2.7 per game and knocking down a healthy 45.8% of his attempts.

Wide Receivers are play finishers. While we might think of them as versatile, juking, greased lightning thunderbolts dodging tackles as they run 60 yards for a touchdown, more often than not a Wide Receiver does his work before the ball arrives in his hands. Hawkins is the exact same. The UConn rookie is currently 3rd in “0 dribble 3 point attempts” according to NBA.com registering 6.7 shots per game without putting the ball on the floor.

Hawkins creates his space, runs his routes, off-ball quite literally freeing himself to make a catch just as NFL roadrunners do.

Check out the highlight below of his two IST games against Dallas and the Clippers:

@PelicansNBA rookie Jordan Hawkins is 2nd in the league this year for corners 3’s attempted and he’s knocking down 45.8% of his looks!
Watch the IST clips down below and notice his commitment to getting out in transition and the instincts to get to the corners.#pelicans pic.twitter.com/vzDdM0zNC9

— The Drop Step (@TheDropStepNBA) November 30, 2023

Notice how Hawkins runs the floor with intensity in transition, getting to his spots before the defense can get set, (pretty much all of these makes are up with 18 seconds still on the shot clock) and notice the almost dogmatic commitment to getting himself to the corners of the court.

In the final highlight of the Mavericks game if you follow Hawkins from the defensive rebound you’ll notice he’s on the right side of the court as the Pelicans start to break. Traditionally Hawkins would “fill the lane” providing the ball handler, Williamson, a layup target in a search for an easy basket at the hoop. That would’ve been a perfectly fine play. Instead, Hawkins sprints cross court, curling his run away from the rim into the left corner and because Hawkins waits till he’s out of Mavericks’ sight he finds himself with an open 3 point attempt that he puts away with conviction.

In truth, Hawkins has started to show a little more off the bounce and above the break in recent games. His role might be progressing from “Wide Receiver” back to “Shooting Guard” if he continues to diversify his game but I think his quick assimilation to the league tells us something about how the NBA is changing.

Cardio is back in fashion! I think we’re due to see bodies continue to transform over the next few years as team seek to steal from transition kings like Sacramento and Indiana. Hawkins is lean, it was a concern pre-draft, but that enables him to put in a phenomenal amount of effort on a night to night basis getting out faster in transition than teammates and defenders alike. That frame puts less stress on his joints and body as he stops and flows into his shooting motion. Aside from the corner 3 you’ll see that Hawkins has been utilized in handoff situations, running along the top of the three point line off-ball, catching, rising up, and squaring his body to the hoop in one fluid motion for a lightning quick release.

Hawkins has mainly got his looks in transition or stationed in corners during half-court but it’s been nice to see the Pelicans run him through screens!

Curls out to the right corner for an EOQ 3 against the Kings

Classic movement 3 against the Mavs – remind you of any UConn… pic.twitter.com/mQfVBN6KtS

— The Drop Step (@TheDropStepNBA) November 30, 2023

(It should be no surprise to anyone that Hawkins is doing this at an NBA level. Jordan earned Ray Allen comparisons in the Huskies March Madness triumph last year for good reason! Credit to Willy Green and offensive coordinator James Borego for trusting the rookie, running plays for him in his rookie year.)

I think the league is due to get lankier and leaner in the next few seasons. As ground coverage becomes more and more important, Hawkins’ ability to get up the floor in an instant will become more valuable, if the game is played at a higher pace there’s less chance that you’ll be punished for a lack of physical strength. It’s more likely you’ll be punished for being flat-footed as players like Hawkins get to their spots quicker than ever.

So, keep an eye on the UConn alumni, he’s 12th in 3’s made this year and as we mentioned before is showing confidence to pull up from above the break, not just stick to his role as a “wide receiver”. Regardless of his role, Hawkins has been a great addition to the Pelicans and a great addition to the league. He’s a delight to watch and I reckon the next few draft classes will see more “wide receivers” enter the league. If only we had a need for running backs instead…