Traditional stat sheets were not built to capture gaps filled, box-outs that set up a teammate's rebound, or hockey assists that ignite an offense, but the scouts in attendance tracked it all from Herb Jones. Essentially, it took one game to remind the NBA world why EVP Joe Dumars is waiting out the trade market. Fans who have been paying attention saw it coming too, and thankfully got to celebrate afterwards. Jones was a +34 in the third quarter and finished at +27 to help earn Jamahl Mosley's first win leading the New Orleans Pelicans (1-4).
Starting for the first time after seeing limited minutes through the first four games, Jones dominated long stretches against the Sacramento Kings (0-5) as the smartest, most productive, assertive, and all-around winning player in the Smoothie King Center. Not on Herb's All-Defense level performance served as a stark reminder of his true cultural and on-court value, even as the franchise spent the first month of the season stress-testing its newer, younger core.
“Herb is an ultimate pro,” Mosley told ClutchPoints. “Those conversations that we have on understanding the minutes and how he plays…he is asking what he needs to do night in and night out. He is going to be a doggish defender, night in and night out. Stepping into his shot, knocking it down when need be. But he is the ultimate pro. He is actually a coach's dream to be able to communicate at a high level with him about what he sees, how he understands the game, and what he knows is going on within the game.”
As for the plan going into the holidays?
“Finding more time for (Jones) is going to be a key priority for me,” he added.
The ‘find out what you've got' phase of the season seems to be over for Mosley. Anyone wanting to stick to a development plan is having their hand forced. After that win over the Kings, the fans may riot if Jones is not back in the starting lineup when the Atlanta Hawks hit town for Halloween.
Pelicans stick to plan
Making the postseason was the stated goal, so by all accounts, everyone agrees that it is time to get around to the winning part of this Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy II-led process. Jones is a big part of that plan, but is also a known quantity. Assessing Jordan Poole, Bennedict Mathurin, Dejounte Murray, and a 20-year-old future face of the franchise Jeremiah Fears was the priority in the first four games.
Fears is fine and will learn some hard lessons on the job alongside Derik Queen (21) and Yves Missi (22). However, Murray (30), Poole (27), and Mathurin (24) have done little in the early going to significantly alter their trade value. Neither seems to have a long-term future in New Orleans, and both are likely to cede minutes to Jones moving forward.
Poole and Mathurin are likely make-weights in a larger deal, with Poole wanting to find a new home per Shamit Dua. Murray's market is much more volatile, including social media denials of trade demands. Reading those tea leaves is a bit challenging, but the body language says it all. There is a high floor (protected first, young talent) but a low ceiling (second-round picks, expiring contract). Positive production and health are big factors that could churn up some interest, sure, but finding a team needing his style of locker room leadership limits the options as well.
Multiple teams are monitoring the situation surrounding both Jones and Trey Murphy III. Among those mentioned by sources or seen in an arena are the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies.
Article Continues BelowPractically a third of the NBA is putting in a call. That is why the ‘ridiculous' Pelicans are holding firm on their asking price of two first-round picks, one of them unprotected, as reported by ClutchPoints in June 2025. Their pitch is that Jones is a bona fide winner with two years of team control beyond this season, and that he helps every contender.
If Jones is still logging 17 minutes on a team drifting toward the lottery in January, the calculus changes. Sam Presti's Thunder will still have picks. Luka Doncic's Lakers will still need both an All-Defense level stopper and a near All-Star level sniper. Stephen Curry will still need help. The market will still exist if the wins do not come, and the front office knows it.
However, if history and that plus/minus on the stat sheet are any indication of future playing time and market value, the Pelicans should be patient. Mosley found out what they had before the front office started making grand plans for what they can afford to lose.
One of those desperate-to-win contenders will pay up in multiple first-round picks before 2028. Until then, it appears Jones will be starting for the Pelicans, and they are fine with that. There is no reason to sell cheap on championship character. Likewise, there is no reason to have it sitting on the bench either. Mosley seems to have recognized that against the Kings.