Overview
- Herb Jones has seen his role shrink to a career-low roughly 17 minutes per game through New Orleans’ first three games after losing his starting spot and coming off the bench.
- Coach Jamahl Mosley publicly called Jones the “ultimate professional,” said finding more time for him is a key priority, and that the staff will evaluate rotations over a five-game sample.
- NBA insider Marc Stein reports the Pelicans have not signaled a willingness to trade Jones and that the team has held an asking price near two first-round picks for him.
- Several contenders, including Golden State, Oklahoma City and Los Angeles, have monitored or proposed offers but no club has met New Orleans’ high valuation and salary and luxury-tax implications complicate any deal.
- League evaluators warn Jones’ trade value could decline if his limited minutes persist, so the next developments to watch are Mosley’s rotation changes over the short sample and whether New Orleans lowers its asking price.