According to NBA reporter Dan Woike of The Athletic, the New Orleans Pelicans are not interested in trading Herbert Jones.
Many people around the NBA believe the Los Angeles Lakers should trade for Jones, but it doesn’t look like the swingman is available.
“The player most often linked to the Lakers as a target by rival scouts and executives is New Orleans wing Herbert Jones, who cannot be traded until Jan. 14 because he signed a three-year extension with the Pelicans in July,” Woike wrote. “While Lakers fans can fantasize about some all-out liquidation of the three-win Pelicans’ roster, team and league sources tell The Athletic that New Orleans is not interested in moving Jones. And considering what LA would have to offer in a deal, expiring contracts and a single first-round pick, the Pelicans almost certainly wouldn’t engage at that price point.
“Maybe the view of the Lakers’ assets or the Pelicans’ view of Jones will change between now and the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, but as of now, sources point out, New Orleans would need a whole lot to be convinced otherwise.”
Jones is a talented two-way player. He’s averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.3 blocks per game this season while shooting 40.4% from the field, 34.7% from beyond the arc and 78.6% from the free-throw line.
The Pelicans have the worst record in the NBA at 3-22. They Lakers are 17-7, but they don’t have enough defenders to compete for the championship, which is why Jones would be a great fit for them.
However, it appears Jones will remain in New Orleans.
Jones was the 35th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He holds career averages of 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. The lefty made the 2023-24 All-Defensive First Team.