At 3-20 to start the season, the New Orleans Pelicans hold the worst record in the NBA currently. Injuries, poor play, and a disjointed roster construction have doomed the Pelicans this year. Their star, Zion Williamson, is again sidelined for an extended period of time with an adductor strain in his hip.  

Reports have surfaced that the team is ready to move on from the former No. 1 overall pick after yet another season marred by injury. It’s unclear what the Pelicans could receive compensation-wise from a player who has played more than 40 games just twice in a season since entering the league in 2019. With the Pelicans headed towards another year missing the postseason, a full-blown rebuild may be looming for New Orleans.

A rebuild like that comes with the difficult decision of which players to let go to acquire future assets. Could a fan favorite like Herb Jones be a casualty of a franchise looking to move on from Williamson and fully embrace a new youth movement? The former Alabama standout could be enticing for a contending team looking for a 3&D wing player to contribute in a playoff run.

Herb Jones Could Net the Pelicans a First-Round Pick on the Trade Market

Jones made first-team All-Defense during the 2023-2024 season as the only non-center selected. New Orleans rewarded him with a three-year, $68 million contract extension this past summer. The former second-round pick has a team-friendly deal that would be attractive to a contender looking to add his skill set to the mix. Jones is due $22 million when he turns 30, after which he has a player option for $24 million. With the expected rise of the cap, the defensive specialist could be a bargain for the right team.