Herb Jones and New Orleans Seal Shocking $68 Million Deal—What This Means for the Future of the Franchise

Because he is a coveted wing defender, multiple teams have called in recent years and kicked the tires on a Jones trade, but New Orleans has shot them down. However, should Dumars and the Pelicans decide to pivot, Jones is still on a very affordable and very tradeable contract with this extension.

The New Orleans Pelicans are quietly crafting something intriguing under the stewardship of new GM Joe Dumars, and Herb Jones is clearly a central piece of that puzzle. Just this past Thursday, Jones inked a hefty three-year extension worth million, with a player option in the final season—a savvy move that tacks onto the last two years of his current deal, locking him in for a full five-year run at an eye-popping .4 million total. Jones isn’t just another name on the roster; he’s an elite wing defender recognized on the 2023-24 All-Defense team, a solid contributor with a 10.3 PPG average last season, and a sharp 36.6% career shooter from beyond the arc. This makes him—and alongside Trey Jones III—a vital core around which the Pelicans hope to build, especially with Zion Williamson in the mix. Teams have sniffed around Jones during trade talks, but New Orleans hasn’t budged. Still, with this extension, they’ve kept their options open—his contract balances affordability with tradability, giving Dumars flexibility should the team’s vision shift down the road. LEARN MOREJones is an elite wing defender — 2023-24 All Defense — who averaged 10.3 points per game last season and boasts a career 3-point shooting percentage of 36.6%. He is a high-level 3&D player. He and Trey Jones III are the core of the wings on the Pelicans, and part of the franchise’s core with Zion Williamson. Whatever new GM Joe Dumars and the Pelicans are building with their roster in New Orleans — and that is a legitimate question and discussion for another day — Herb Jones would fit in as part of it. Which is why the Pelicans and Jones agreed to a three-year, million extension on Thursday with a player option in the final year, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN. These three seasons will be tacked on to the end of the two existing years on Jones’ contract, keeping him with the team for a total of five seasons (at a total of .4 million).