Trade Packages and Landing Spots for New Orleans Pelicans' Herb Jones

Expectations weren't high for the New Orleans Pelicans coming into this season. And yet, after their 0-3 start, it feels like they're performing below them.

The Pelicans have had second-half leads in all three of those losses. They were up 23 in the second half against the Denver Nuggets. And while teams have been surging by them in high-leverage moments, the coaching staff has been unwilling to embrace Herb Jones' defense as a way to slow them down.

Jones is playing a career-low 17.0 minutes per game, and that has the rumor mill churning. In the N.O.'s Shamit Dua shared the latest:

"Multiple league sources indicate teams are monitoring Jones' situation and could pursue him if the Pelicans asking price changes. A recent video of Jones and Dumars speaking at practice has added to the speculation about his future.

"League sources say the Pelicans have held firm at an asking price near two first-round picks, though no team has met that figure. Many in the league believe Jones' value will continue to go down if his minutes continue to be sporadic. Jones' contract is also slated to jump next year from $14.9 million to $20.8 million. Nevertheless, several playoff teams view Jones as a valuable cultural and basketball fit.

"...The Pelicans...continue to rebuff offers, which have mostly been based around second round picks."

On the one hand, two first-round picks for Jones is too much of an ask. On the other, it's not hard to understand New Orleans passing on deals built around second-rounders. Surely, there's a happy medium.

And below, we'll give you exactly that (as well as a trade that might meet the Pelicans' current asking price and another that's more along the lines of the offers New Orleans has already received).

NOLA's Asking Price of 'Near Two First-Round Picks' (the Overpay)

Pelicans Receive: A 2027 first-round pick (via Denver, if No. 6 through No. 30) and a top-eight protected 2030 first-round pick

The Oklahoma City Thunder, with all the young talent they already have and the size of their treasure chest of future draft assets, are one of the few teams that could justify meeting New Orleans' reported asking price.

They'll barely see a dent in their trove of picks, and this will make it easier to sign the second contracts of young players like Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz, Jared McCain, Nikola Topić and Thomas Sorber.

OKC also has a big enough trade exception to absorb all of Jones' $14.9 million salary. And while that will put them into the second apron, potentially season-ending injuries to Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace could make them desperate enough to go there (it could also motivate a gap year, but we won't entertain that here).

The Thunder suddenly need some wing depth. And even if Jones' three-point percentage doesn't bounce back to where it was in 2023-24 (when he was at 41.8 percent from deep), his perimeter defense would make him an instant culture fit in OKC.

For New Orleans, the thinking here is obvious. This actually exceeds the asking price of near two first-round picks, even if both are likely to be outside the lottery.

Turning a player currently on the fringe of the rotation into two future assets, while opening up some developmental minutes for younger players, makes plenty of sense for the Pelicans.

'Based Around Second-Round Picks' (the Underpay)

Pelicans Receive: Terance Mann, a 2030 second-round pick (via Lakers), a 2031 second-round pick and a 2032 second-round pick

Part of the motivation for New Orleans on this one would be the increased financial flexibility it'd have with Terance Mann. His deal expires two years earlier than Jones'. Having him as an expiring contract next season could make him a good trade piece in 2027-28, too.

That may not be enough to overcome the lack of first-rounders in this deal, but Brooklyn's stash of second-rounders is massive. Depending on how protections shake out, they could have up to 18 tradable seconds between now and 2033. That makes it a lot easier for them to justify giving up three (or maybe even four).

And Jones is the kind of wing that would both fit with the Nets and potentially be worth that many late picks.

Brooklyn has a decent offensive foundation with Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle and several young playmakers with a chance to become impact players on that end, but it's woefully short on defense. Adding Jones would go a long way toward checking that box.

Pelicans Receive: Kristaps Porziņģis, a lottery-protected 2027 first-round pick and a 2032 second-round pick (if No. 31 through No. 50)

Two firsts does indeed feel a little rich for Jones. But in the right situation, he could be worth one protected first-rounder. And if the Pelicans still drag their feet, the Golden State Warriors should be OK with tossing in a second-round sweetener.

This is exactly the kind of situation where Jones could thrive. His perimeter defense could go a long way toward covering for Stephen Curry's struggles on that end. And Curry's gravity as a shooter and offensive engine could pull defenses away from Jones and give him a better shot at recreating his prior shooting success.

Adding Jones' three-and-D potential to a core that includes Curry, Yaxel Lendeborg and (hopefully) Jimmy Butler at some later point this season is worth two middling picks and a player who isn't likely to see the floor this season (Kristaps Porziņģis' health has put his career in question, and his contract was essentially designed to make him a human trade exception for 2026-27).

As for the Pelicans, this comes up a little short of the asking price, but it's hard to see anyone getting there, especially with the coaching staff failing to showcase Jones right now.

This package still gives New Orleans more financial flexibility (Jones' contract runs through 2029-30, while KP's is only guaranteed for $3 million next season) and a good shot at another first-rounder in 2027.

Porziņģis Trade Idea Best For Warriors 💡