Source: https://marcstein.substack.com/p/more-latest-updates-from-nba-trade
> It was relayed to me in rather strong terms over the weekend that the Pelicans, contrary to one recent report, are not open to fielding offers on defensive ace Herb Jones.
> New Orleans is undeniably facing a fast-approaching contract crunch with Trey Murphy IIII eligible for a rookie scale contract extension in the offseason and, more generally speaking, keeping everyone paid and happy on what might be the league’s deepest roster.
> Alleviating that crunch by surrendering Jones, however, does not appear to be a route that the Pelicans have any interest in taking. Jones is in Year 1 of a four-year contract extension worth just under $54 million and has shown an adaptability to play in numerous lineup configurations.
> The Pelicans created a significant measure of financial relief for this season by working their way into the Pascal Siakam trade. The inclusion of Kira Lewis Jr. as part of the trade got New Orleans under the luxury tax and thus resulted in savings of an estimated $18 million alone.
> Yet it’s likewise true that the Pelicans face some serious challenges to keep all of their talent after fortifying their Zion Williamson/Brandon Ingram/CJ McCollum core by hitting on a string of recent draftees … from Murphy (No. 17 in 2021) to Jones (No. 35 in 2021) to Dyson Daniels (No. 8 in 2022) to flammable rookie Jordan Hawkins (No. 14 in 2023).
> Another looming challenge is the forthcoming free agency of veteran center Jonas Valanciunas, who continues to be a valued on- and off-court contributor in the Pelicans’ orbit at age 31 while playing on an expiring $15.4 million deal.
by UnbiasedNBAFan_
13 Comments
Someone tell r/nba
good
I would hate to trade Herb. I feel like he represents a lot of what we are trying to build.
His contract is a huge bargain he doesn’t mind being underpaid cause the pelicans gave him a chance
It’s worth looking at [our salary situation over the next few seasons](https://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_orleans_pelicans/).
I think 2025-26 will be the toughest financially. Zion, CJ, Herb, Dyson, Hawkins, and EJ can all be under their current contracts. But Trey and Ingram will need extensions. Nance will be a free agent. If this core doesn’t look like a contender by the trade deadline of 2024-25, players might be on the move.
Feb 8th cant come soon enough bro i’ve been stressing about the idea of herb being traded the last few days lol
i cant believe people really thought that reporter was credible, the reporter who reported didnt even know we paid herb last offseason.
>It was relayed to me in rather strong terms
Translation: LOL fuck off
You’re telling me a defensive minded coach doesn’t actually want to trade his best defensive player!? No way!
Nah where do they even come up with that garbage fr? The NBA is so wack how they just try and drum up controversy for clicks. In no way would it make sense for us to even contemplate moving a legend in the making like Herb
Thought so
This is what a lot of us believed when the other reporter came out.
Herb is on a great contract and is such a good player. If he was moved it would be for a VERY GOOD player not some salary dump
It was one of the dumbest takes possible. Ridiculous on its face. Why would the Pels trade their MOST TEAM-FAVORABLE CONTRACT if they’re facing a salary crunch??